Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra

A raw, Delta blues track that wrestles with the difference between trying to fix a broken world with force and finding strength in a quieter, more patient wisdom. “The Sun Don’t Preach” is a story told through a bottleneck slide and a steady foot stomp, contrasting the “power of a God” with the “wisdom of the Sun.” It’s a gritty, front-porch sermon about letting go of the hammer, trusting the process, and learning how to just shine.

(Lyrics)

(Music starts with a slow, heavy slide guitar riff. A single, steady foot stomp begins, like a heartbeat.)

(Verse 1) 
Tried to be a god, Lord, with a hammer in my hand 
Gonna beat this crooked world straight, across this broken land 
Tried to grab the thunder, tried to command the rain 
Swore I’d build a kingdom, and wash away the pain 
But the thunder, it just mocked me… and the hammer, it just fell 
Left me standin’ in the silence of my own self-made hell.

(Verse 2) 
I got down on my knees, Lord, and I prayed for holy fire 
To burn the wicked clean away, and lift the righteous higher 
I called for signs and wonders, for a voice to shake the stone 
To prove that I was chosen, and not standin’ here alone 
But the fire, it never answered… and the stone, it never stirred 
Just the echo of my own angry, lonely word.

(Chorus) 
(The guitar riff becomes a little brighter, more resolute. The slide holds a long, clear note.) 
And a whisper came like sunrise, through the darkness and the doubt 
Said, “Son, you got the meanin’ of this whole thing twisted ‘round.” 
“It ain’t the power of a God that’s gonna see you through… 
It’s the wisdom of the Sun, in everything you do.”

(Verse 3) 
‘Cause the sun don’t preach a sermon, don’t choose who’s right or wrong 
It just shines on down the valley, where the weary souls belong 
It don’t force the seed to open, don’t tell the roots to grow 
Just gives the light and warmth it has, patient and so slow 
And the life that’s meant for livin’… finds its own way to the light 
Breaks the soil in its own time, with all its own true might.  

(Chorus) 
(Guitar and vocals build in quiet intensity.) 
Yeah, that whisper came like sunrise, through the darkness and the doubt 
Said, “Son, you got the meanin’ of this whole thing twisted ‘round.” 
“It ain’t the power of a God that’s gonna see you through… 
It’s the wisdom of the Sun, in everything you do.”

(Outro) 
(The foot stomp slows. The slide guitar plays a final, mournful but peaceful melody, letting the notes ring out.) 
Yeah, the wisdom of the sun… 
Don’t have to force no one… 
Just shine… 
Just shine on… 
Mmm… shine on…

(The final slide note hangs in the air, then fades to silence.)