The C the O the M the M the U the N the I the T the Y

Click for video w/ lyrics

I think it is going to be pretty difficult to find a song that perfectly sums up one of our readings. So perhaps I was just looking for an excuse to force one of my current favorite songs into the utopia discussion, and perhaps it will make more sense in response to an unknown reading later in the semester, but I think IDLES' "Danny Nedelko" has some decent connections to the Rule of St. Benedict.

The refrain "Fear leads to panic, panic leads to pain, pain leads to anger, anger leads to hate" is not only reminiscent of Yoda (you know I had to sneak in some Star Wars) but of stricture as well; one can imagine St. Benedict's Abbess "kneading" these commands into her disciples.

On the instruments of good works, which prioritize loving one's neighbor as oneself: IDLES sing about the importance of neighbors and immigrants; one of them, after all, could be the next Freddie Mercury, Mo Farah, or Malala Yousafzai. 

Admittedly, the daily regulations set out for monks are nowhere to be found in this song, and maybe I am ignoring the abundance of rigorous Rules to instead focus on a the smaller amount of kind acts mentioned in the Rules. But the theme of unabashed community ("C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y S-O F-U-C-K Y-O-U") runs throughout the chapters, whether in welcoming guests or just valuing every member of the monastery.

Upon reflection, IDLES have probably written a song not for cenobites, but for gyrovagues; though they may be imperfect, they're still monks.