Be he Cat Stevens, or (as he is now known) Yusef Islam, singing “Peace Train,” the song is surely an anthem for our times, as relevant today as when it was released an astonishing 50 years ago (OMG!) on the 1971 album “Teaser and the Firecat.”
Covered by many over the years, from 10,000 Maniacs to Canada’s Jann Arden, and an intriguing version by Dolly Parton uniquely performed with South African band Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Yusuf/Cat was also called upon to perform it at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway.
The version here is brand new, released to mark its milestone anniversary and to coincide with the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. It features “Yusef/Cat Stevens,” as the song’s subtitles introduce him, performing at a simple white piano in a beautiful garden in Istanbul that intentionally recalls John Lennon’s famous video for ‘Imagine,’ where the former Beatle too sits at a white piano and sings powerfully of “the world as one.”
“We are privileged to be able to create a glimpse of unity through music,” said Yusuf of the video, produced and performed by the philanthropic Playing For Change collective (whom we have sampled several times in this column).
PFC’s always amazing world music cast this time features performers edited in from Australia to Argentina and Palestine to Pakistan. There is a powerful Mississippi gospel choir, ebullient Axé drummers in Salvadore, Brazil, and an elegant chamber trio from New York. Led at the outset by America blues icon Keb’ Mo’, the song also prominently features Grammy winning/nominated artists Baaba Maal (Senegal) and Silkroad’s Rhiannon Giddens (Ireland), and if you look closely, those of a certain vintage will even note a brief cameo from the Doobie Brothers’ Pat Simmons.
The only thing missing (sadly) is the song’ famous fading acoustic guitar extro.
But that’s okay, because this performance is delightful and fresh, remaining both thoughtful and spiritual, simultaneously calling listeners to rejoice yet asking the poignant question:
“Why must we go on hating / Why can’t we live in bliss?”
Lyrics
Now I’ve been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh I’ve been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it’s going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Now I’ve been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train
Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it’s getting nearer, it soon will be with you
Now come and join the living, it’s not so far from you
And it’s getting nearer, soon it will all be true
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Now I’ve been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can’t we live in bliss
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on peace train
Yes, it’s the peace train