I've always loved the song "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. "Gimme Shelter" makes me think about the phrase "taking refuge," although I'm sure McJagger's idea of "refuge" was probably a summer home full of whiskey and women and not a Buddhist temple. The lyrics are about the pain of samsara and the fragility of human existence. Rock on!
Here's a song by the heavy metal band Testament called "Trail of Tears" which is a tribute to Native Americans (the lead singer is Native American). It makes me feel love for the indigenous peoples of the world and fills me with sorrow as I think about how much suffering they've endured. Native Americans are often the first people to be forgotten in America, even though they are some of the Americans whom I respect the most.
May people of all ethnicites be treated with compassion and respect.
The title "Trail of Tears" also makes me think about the part of the Pali Canon where Buddha is talking about all the tears we've shed in past lives being enough to fill a great river.
"Trail of Tears" - Testament
See the sun as the day is done
Life is of the broken ones
Some will stray as time will come
All their lives, they live it well
Red man proud and giving hell
Some stand and shining tall
Can you hear them call?
See the sun as it's setting still
Tears fall from a warrior
Damn those who I feel
Set a trail to the promised land
Mother and child holding hand in hand
Through the snow or through the sands
All across the land...
Full moon's rising from the sky, a warrior's riding
Ride with the wind
So far away, the spirits will guide you
No more sorrow
Don't look back, your freedom will follow
Flying so free
Can't you see... on the trail of tears