Folk legend Peter Yarrow uses Dalai Lama poem for new anti-bullying song

Japan has produced a song by folk legend Peter Yarrow, whose lyrics come from a unique source: a poem by the Dalai Lama.

Konchog Norbu24 October 2013

The catchy “Never Give Up” mines His Holiness’s constant theme that the courageous application of compassion and understanding can change hearts for the better.

“We can learn to turn our anger at others into forgiveness and love them, too; even if they have done something terrible or cruel,” the Japan Times reports Yarrow as saying. “If we can teach children to do that when they are young, they will grow up to be caring, loving peace-builders in the world.”

“Never Give Up” will be released in Japan November 13 as part of a 14-track album of original and cover songs by Yarrow with an overall anti-cruelty message. Warner Music Japan has uploaded it to YouTube; have a listen after the jump:

Konchog Norbu

Konchog Norbu

Konchog Norbu became a Buddhist in 1990 and ordained as a monk in 1993. Since then, he has overseen communications and media relations for several dharma organizations, authored the widely-read blog Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa during a four-year stint in Mongolia, and filled his begging bowl on occasion with freelance writing and editing gigs.