The Human Race

The Human Race - written by James Webb / Arranged: James Webb & Keith Morrison / Produced: Keith Morrison / Lead vocal: James Webb/ Acoustic Guitars: James Webb / Background Vocals: Laurie Jennings Oudin / Electric Guitar Scott Emmons /

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About the Song

The Human Race (J. Webb) – A serious song that ponders life in the universe, the responsibility of intelligence on Earth, and planet stewardship. The first verse comments on the amazing diversity of life here on our planet. The chorus talks about the responsibility of the "human race" to the other living creatures on Earth, from the tiniest microbes to the giant whales who occupy the oceans of the Earth. The second verse describes possible dangers we face as living creatures on Planet Earth. Not only from natural disasters like Earth quakes and atmospheric phenomena, but also disasters originating from outer space such as planet killer asteroids. We have the intelligence and technology to protect ourselves, but we rarely use it for these purposes. More frequently, we use it for trivial things like new cell phone apps. Check out my TEDxFIU which addresses this very subject. The final verse wonders whether alien civilizations, should they exist, treat their planet in the same reckless manner that we treat ours. The human race is a double entendre: we call ourselves the Human race, and every living being’s life, including Humans, is like a race to stay ahead of the inevitable.

Lyrics

This is not a story of love found or love lost, this is a story of survival and its cost From the ocean’s depth where volcanic energy rises, to amoebas and people, and animals of all sizes How nature works its wondrous ways, and life goes on throughout the endless days

chorus

Life is a progression, a gauntlet, a race, all life including humans, trying to keep the pace When intelligence arose, we took the place, of protecting life on Earth, this is the Human race, this is…..the Human race.

Killer asteroids, hurricanes abound, how can we keep life on Earth safe and sound? Our intelligence and technology points the way, but our selfishness and greed come into play Can we use our knowledge to sort out what is right, so life on Earth doesn’t pass silently into the night

chorus

Life is a progression, a gauntlet, a race, all life including humans, trying to keep the pace When intelligence arose, we took the place, of protecting life on Earth, this is the Human race, this is…..the Human race.

Is there any life out there in this vast universe, which runs the same race and sings the same verse Do they protect their environment, live up to their worth, or do they let their greed destroy their own Earth What song can we sing so everyone will listen, all life is precious and important to our mission

chorus

Life is a progression, a gauntlet, a race, all life including humans, trying to keep the pace When intelligence arose, we took the place, of protecting life on Earth, this is the Human race, this is…..the Human race.