Here’s a video of U2 singing “New Year’s Day.” It’s from their “War” album tour, which put them on the map. I listened to this song a great deal when it came out. Plaintive and powerful.

The song is about Poland’s Solidarity movement, which fought hard during the Cold War to promote human rights and freedom. Led by an electrician, the movement eventually overthrew, without violence, the repressive Communist government in Poland. Unarmed blue-collar workers against legions of troops and the best weaponry from the Soviet Union. The good guys won.

A lot has changed in the world since this song came out in 1983. Then, again, not enough has.

My hope is that the things we want changed will change in 2013. I’m not holding my breath, but I think it is always good to have hope. We face many difficult issues in our nation and, perhaps, in our personal lives. But, we must forge on. As Bono sings: “I / I will begin again.”

My best wishes to everyone for a wonderful New Year.