"And no one dared disturb the sound of silence.” -Paul SimonWhen was a time that you experienced the sound of silence?//Hello darkness, my old friendI've come to talk with you againBecause a vision softly creepingLeft its seeds while I was sleepingAnd the vision that was planted in my brainStill remainsWithin the sound of silenceIn restless dreams I walked aloneNarrow streets of cobblestone'Neath the halo of a street lampI turned my collar to the cold and dampWhen my eyes were stabbed By the flash of a neon lightThat split the nightAnd touched the sound of silenceAnd in the naked light I sawTen thousand people, maybe morePeople talking without speakingPeople hearing without listeningPeople writing songs that voices never shareAnd no one daredDisturb the sound of silence"Fools," said I, "You do not knowSilence, like a cancer, growsHear my words that I might teach youTake my arms that I might reach you"But my words, like silent raindrops fellAnd echoed in the wells, of silenceAnd the people bowed and prayedTo the neon god they madeAnd the sign flashed out its warningIn the words that it was formingAnd the sign said, "The words of the prophets Are written on the subway wallsAnd tenement halls"And whispered in the sounds of silence//This episode was performed by Sidney Outlaw and accompanied by Dr. Hsin- I Huang. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear.The Sound of Silence was written by Paul Simon in 1963-64 and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in March 1964 at Columbia Studios in New York City for inclusion on their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.Sidney Outlaw is an opera powerhouse and a member of The Riverside Church choir. Visit www.SidneyOutlaw.com to find out more.This season of Be Still and Go is supported in part by Convergence as they help share each episode with their community. (You should do the same!) Convergence a network that supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from “organized religion” to “organizing religion” driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. Visit www.convergenceus.org to find out more.