Being Friday, a day of penance, and also the first day of a class I am taking on Catholic Social Teaching, I thought of an old country song I like, that has been covered many times by folks including Porter Wagoner, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, and even Bob Dylan. The song was written by J. H. “Red” Hayes and Jack Rhodes. Its simple, but powerful lyrics, remind me that money doesn’t buy happiness, and that fortune comes and goes, but being satisfied with what I have leads to happiness in all economic situations. I think with all the bad economic news coming out right now (corn, oil, wheat, and rice commodities are rising rapidly, while we seem to be in a recession, among other things), this song reminds us that happiness is not necessarily dependent on wealth, or lack of it. In fact, our Lord, in the Sermon on the Plain, said those who are poor are more blessed than those who are rich!
Of course, this song is a simplistic look at the issue, because some don’t even have basic needs being met right now, and I am not suggesting that someone who can’t feed his family should be satisfied with that. However, I am speaking to those of us who have a little more, those who, compared to most of the world, are doing all right, and sometimes are unable to recognize the good things we have!
—–
How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way
But little they know
That it’s so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind
Once I was livin
In fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed of
To get a start in life’s game
Then suddenly it happened
I lost every dime
But I’m richer by far
With a satisfied mind
Money can’t buy back
Your youth when you’re old
Or a friend when you’re lonely
Or a love that’s grown cold
The wealthiest person
Is a pauper at times
Compared to the man
With a satisfied mind
When my life has ended
And my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones
I’ll leave there’s no doubt
But one thing’s for certain
When it comes my time
I’ll leave this old world
With a satisfied mind
David Bennett
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