MatR: Terence Trent D’Arby and Bruce Springsteen: I Have Faith in These Desolate Times

One early summer evening, 27 years ago, Bruce Springsteen invited Terence Trent D’Arby to the stage at his Madison Square Garden benefit show for the Kristen Ann Carr Fund.

This was the song D’Arby sang, from his 1989 album Neither Fish Nor Flesh, gently supported by Bruce and his band:

I have faith in these desolate times
A roar down the road of a rumbling war
I have faith in these desolate times
A chill from the eyes of
a man of political skill
I have faith but for how much longer?

It seems to me, bitter trees, full of fleas
Summarily hold the branches
People we, falling leaves, watching thieves
Stealing keys, to our ranches
I have faith in these desolate times
A score to the sound of the feet
of a journeyman’s tour
I have faith in these desolate times
A feel and a hope and belief
that man’s peace will be still
I have faith but for how much longer?

The village green, people seen, full of beans
Imagining the course of action
And in between, shopping scenes, plasticine
Suburban dreams, an empty faction
I have faith in these desolate times
Show fear, and the smoke of a gun trigger
pulling finger pressure comes near
I have faith in these desolate times
Before long, the lamb and the lion may lie
with the lass in the grass at dawn
I have faith but for how much longer?

As you can hear, D’Arby was roundly booed. Nevertheless, he persisted.

In these desolate times, have faith.

And persist.

I Have Faith in These Desolate Times
First performed: June 26, 1993 (New York City, NY)
Last performed: June 26, 1993 (New York City, NY)