Song of the Day 4/20: Ben Harper, “Burn One Down” Live at Bonnaroo
Though there are enough weed anthems to make a playlist that lasts 4 hours and 20 minutes, my favorite is Ben Harper’s Jamaica-flavored proclamation of the freedom to fire up. Harper included the song on his second album, “Fight for Your Mind,” in 1995, and it’s been a staple of his live set since. Like any anthem, it benefits from an enthusiastic crowd, like this one at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2002. Harper and longtime percussionist Leon Mobley both sound better on stage than they do on the studio version.
Let us burn one
From end to end
And pass it over
To me my friend
Burn it long, we’ll burn it slow
To light me up before I go
If you don’t like my fire
Then don’t come around
‘Cause I’m gonna burn one down
Yes I’m gonna burn one down
My choice is what I choose to do
And if I’m causing no harm
It shouldn’t bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if your causin’ no harm
Then you’re alright with me
If you don’t like my fire
Then don’t come around
‘Cause I’m gonna burn one down
Yes I’m gonna burn one down
Herb the gift from the earth
And what’s from the earth
Is of the greatest worth
So before you knock it try it first
You’ll see it’s a blessing
And it’s not a curse
If you don’t like my fire
Then don’t come around
‘Cause I’m gonna burn one down
Yes I’m gonna burn one, uh
Good one, had not heard it before that I remember. Happy 420 people, have a gig today in scenic Ellendale, will be burning one, perhaps two or three down.
Happy 4:20
“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
You know a thing is mainstream when Pizza Hut runs a 420 promotion.