Bob Mackin
When Bruce Springsteen played a rally for Kamala Harris’s campaign in Clarkston, Ga., on Oct. 24, 2024, fans of the Democrat presidential candidate and the Boss were treated to “The Promised Land,” “Land of Hope and Dreams,” and “Dancing in the Dark.”
Uplifting and optimistic.
Contrast with Mark Carney’s April 23 warmup act in Cloverdale, B.C., folkie Dan Mangan.
Subdued? Yes. A tad pessimistic? You betcha.
While Pierre Poilievre peddles hope, the Carney campaign has relied on fear of Donald Trump’s tariffs and threat of annexation. If Joe Biden’s nickname was “Dark Brandon,” then Carney ought to be “Dark Mark.”
For years, Juno-winning Vancouverite Mangan has been the go-to act for the B.C. NDP, at government ceremonies and party fundraisers. This time, he went Liberal.
“There is so much BS in the world of elections and campaigning and misinformation,” Mangan said. “When I was asked to be here this evening, it was a very quick yes, because it is very comforting to feel like there is an adult in the room.”
Mangan performed “Just Fear,” written after Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. election, and the new “Soapbox,” which he described as “another real bummer of a song.” Lyrics below and songs above.
He did, however, end on a high note, with an a capella rendition of “O Canada.”
“Just Fear”
When every road feels travelled
And we get lost in struggle
When the whole world’s unravelling
Well, it’s just fear messing with us
So is this the big one?
And do we all go down with the ship?
Have we lost the plot completely this time?
‘Cause I feel the bold in the newsprint
And is this the end time?
We’ve got people praying for the rapture
Convinced in the sanctity of disaster
What are we really after?
When every road feels travelled
And we get lost in struggle
When the whole world’s unravelling
Well, it’s just fear messing with us
Yeah it’s just fear messing with our heads
So are we enticed to the car crash?
Do we enjoy the whiplash?
Do we assume that this will pass? And it will pass, but first
Will we save the worst for last?
So if it’s the end times
I trust that these shivers will ease up on my spine
Allow myself the privilege of a calm mind, now and then
I just want to feel the sunshine
When every road feels travelled
And we get lost in struggle
When the whole world’s unravelling
Well, it’s just fear messing with us
Yeah it’s just fear messing with our heads
“Soapbox”
Damn the guessers
Damn the lie
Damn all the pretenders
Damn all the reasons why
Why they peddle the impending
Why they can’t be given light
The hall of mirrors keeps on reflecting
And the illusion multiplies
Meanwhile they focus on division
The meanest trick the devil pulled
The sheep believe the road to freedom
Was provided by the wolf
And so the pendulum keeps swinging
But the arc, it takes a while
Just long enough for some forgetting
To bring the bad stuff back in style
And they always talk of Jesus
Without a hint of irony
But they see kindness as a weakness
And they disregard the meek
So buy your groceries at the box store
And keep your head down in the line
They want you hungry so you’ll want more
They want you lonely so you’re quiet
So go on and batten down the hatches
Turn to whoever it is that you turn
The lunatics have found the matches
And they want to see it burn
See I’ve been yelling about forgiveness
I’ve been all “turn the other cheek”
But I fear now there is a sickness
There’s something rotten in the seeds
So can a society have cancer?
And if so, who will lead this dance?
If we could have just one good answer
Maybe then we’d have a chance
Maybe then we’d have a chance
But I’m still waking up in Denver
Still waking up in Inverness
I am reminded to remember
There is still beauty in the mess
There are those who take in strangers
I suppose the kindness sets them free
There are those who leave a light on
In case another needs to see
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