Song of the Week: Be Here Now

"Be Here Now" is a concept first popularized by Baba Ram Dass (aka Richard Alpert).  Essentially, it states the yogic principle of living in the moment.  As one who is prone to a wandering mind, I find this concept important and difficult.

George Harrison released a song with this title in 1973.  However, I wish to present a different song, though with the same title, by the New England-based singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne.  His second album, Till the Sun Turns Black, was moderately successful, and spawned a minor hit in the UK, "Be Here Now."  The minimalist arrangement with breathy vocals are very effective in creating a mood, and the lyrics are interesting:

Don't let your mind get weary
And confused you will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy
Child, inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely
Child, it's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be, be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now

Here's a video of a live version: