Noise #209: A blessed, sacred argument

Original music reacting to opposing perspectives and the American legacy.

Over the weekend, I went to see these young up-and-comers at the Tribeca Film Festival:

Bono was there to present Bruce Springsteen with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. Patti Smith took the stage, too, and they all jammed. The evening was deep, poignant magic.

In conversation with Bono, Springsteen gave this piercing description of the United States:

“[It’s] a blessed, sacred argument that you’re supposed to be having every day with your fellow citizens and with your representatives. That’s just a part of the country that’s embedded in the country itself. The key to that is you have that argument while recognizing each other’s common humanity, and dignity, and that is in short supply at the moment, from obviously the top of our administration on down.”

Later and almost as a throwaway, Bono humbly cited an accusation his critics often fling—that he is an out-of-touch liberal elite—and wondered aloud whether they were right.

I wrote Noise #209 inspired by Bono’s and Bruce’s guts. It takes rare courage to see opponents not as enemies but as humans of dignity and worth, teachers to learn from, mirrors whose reflections might just help us grow.

As you listen, you may hear whispers of U2’s Elevation, reflecting how joyfully elevated I felt hearing wisdom and music from these humble masters.

Here’s Noise #209:

Wishing you peace,

Michael

(Noise #209 by Michael Gallant. Copyright 2026 Gallant Music LLC. All Rights Reserved.)