Goo Goo Dolls – Before It's Too Late lyrics

My most memorable time of hearing this song was at 46664 concert in jo'burg, december 2007. Not long afterwards mandela came on stage and spoke to the crowd. This was his 89th birthday. Old and frail, he was still doing good. Bringing together people to do something about one of the most menacing problems facing africa: aids. Being who he had been, even as one might say, time for him nears "to leave this behind. " there was a peaceful, sober electricity in the air of the kind I hadn't felt in america for years.
Meanwhile, the world was in the grips of a whole new imperial menace, freedoms were being lost like never before since the fall of soviet union. Lives were being destroyed by the 10's of thousands on a daily basis. We were (and still are) living in historically terrible times of the kind that we thought we had left behind long ago. At times like this, what choice does one have but to hold back ones fears, focus on the truth beneath the lies of mass media and skin-deep politics, hold on to ones conscience, not fall for anything but justice, and run with the righteous. Till we leave this behind, one way or another.
Today, 5 years later, almost full way into obama's first term, I am still reminded of this songe every few days. As news of how little things have changed since that day in front of mandela. We must still hold on.