Under One Sun – inspiration

The lyrics for “Under One Sun” are here.

Scientists have discovered that every single human being on the planet shares 99.9% of their genes with every other human. In other words, we are 99.9% genetically the same as everyone else, and only 0.1% different. Through genetic research, scientists have also concluded that we are all descended from a common ancestor who lived in Africa some 200,000 years ago. So we are literally all related to each other, by blood.

Even before I learnt these scientific concepts regarding evolution and DNA, I was a believer in the oneness of humanity from a spiritual point of view. In the Baha’i Writings, it says: “O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.”

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ben6WdGtvg/VIprqhTJvTI/AAAAAAAAB-I/eU7AnUMGoBs/s144-c-o/Photo%25252012-12-2014%25252011%25252002%25252031%252520am.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/118294268219415625349/Blog#6091799824209394994″ caption=”Photo 12-12-2014 11 02 31 am.jpg” type=”image” alt=”Photo 12-12-2014 11 02 31 am.jpg” ]

 Painting by Phil Doncon.

We all live on the same earth. We all receive life from the same sun in the sky. We all need the same things: water, food, shelter, to love and be loved. Then why is it that when we look at another human being, we only tend to see differences? We see that they look different to us, or speak a different language to us, or dress differently, or have a different culture, or are richer or poorer that we are. And while you could argue that seeing differences is a natural reaction, why is it that we allow our differences to become a source of animosity, indifference or even hatred amongst us? Especially when we know that we are 99.9% the same! If you think about it, if you hate another human being, then you hate 99.9% of yourself. Silly, isn’t it?

When I was in the studio writing this song with James Bryan, he put forward a suggestion for a lyric about war. It was natural that during the song writing process he would veto some of my suggestions, as he was the more experienced and seasoned songwriter, but on this one occasion, I vetoed his suggestion. He asked me why; was I afraid to write about war? I told him that I wasn’t afraid to write about war, but that I wanted the conversation about unity to be about more than anti-war. It’s not just physical fighting and violence that needs to stop; what needs to stop is the very belief that certain people deserve justice, kindness and love more than others. That belief is where all violence and suffering comes from anyway. James was very gracious and really helped me to realise through the music and lyrics of this song the message that I wanted to convey.