Saltwater

“We are a rock revolving around a golden sun,
We are a billion children rolled into one,
So when I hear about the hole in the sky,
Saltwater wells in my eyes.“

—

Hello Fellow Traveller,

English singer Julian Lennon – son of John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia – recorded Saltwater in 1991.

At the time, ‘the hole in the sky’ was a reference to the depletion of the ozone layer, caused by the widespread use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in air conditioners, refrigerators and aerosol sprays.

Since then, the global phase-out of CFCs has safeguarded the ozone layer, which is expected to fully recover within a few decades.

Still, I feel the phrase ‘the hole in the sky’ is even more poignant now than it was in the early 90s.

To me, it evokes the deep loss and sadness felt in witnessing the violence and destruction in the world at present, and our collective impact on nature.

And yet, in reminding us of how we’ve repaired a hole in the past, maybe Julian Lennon’s words might offer some measure of hope and healing for our current world, too.

I enjoyed singing Saltwater at an open mic night in Sydney last week, and am pleased to share the live recording with you.

Thank you for listening 🙏

Jason