None But the Brave: Bruce Springsteen on Courage (Guest Post)

We are pleased to present another guest post from frequent contributor and friend of the blog, James Layman.

There are no words to tack a silver lining on the tragedy in Boston earlier this week. There is nothing that can be written to put the pieces back together, or to make sense of the senseless. Still, it has never ceased to amaze me how the darkness in others brings out the light in ourselves. Whatever trials come to pass, we are never left with a shortage of Americans willing to answer the call. Here are some of Bruce’s thoughts on courage.

“…faith and duty called you someplace higher. Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire”

“Into the Fire”, The Rising, 2002






“There’s a dark cloud rising from the desert floor.

I packed my bags, and I’m heading straight into the storm.

Gonna be a twister to blow everything down

that ain’t got the faith to stand its ground.”

“The Promised Land”, Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978






“Wherever there’s a fight against the blood and hatred in the air.

Look for me, Ma, I’ll be there.”

“The Ghost of Tom Joad”, The Ghost of Tom Joad, 1995







“None baby, but the brave.

No one baby, but the brave

Those strong enough to save

Something from what they gave.”

“None but the Brave”, The Essential Bruce Springsteen, 2003