Now, to make things interesting, Woody Guthrie also wrote a song on this line, with the tune added much later by Blackfire.

Mean Things Happenin' In This World
Words by Woody Guthrie, Music by Blackfire

Look at th' Big War 'crost the Sea;
Well I'm sure that you'll agree
There's mean things a happenin' in this world;

I ain't got a cryin' dime,
An' I'm that a way all th' time;
There's mean things a happenin' in this world;

Ever thing is leased and lent
And to Britain it has went;
And th' Soldier in th' War
Don't know what he's a fightin' for;
And the Tanks a rollin' on
To th' burstin' of th' bombs;
Brother an' Sister getting' killed
For a green back dollar bill;
There's Mean things a happenin' in this World

Man and Woman lend an ear
To the War that's drawin' neat;
You are spied on by Police
If you Speak the Word of Peace;
If you talk 'bout Broth'ly Love
Back in Jail you'll get shoved;
O' I'd ruther'd fight for Peace
Than this crooked Lend & Lease
There's Mean things a happenin' in this World

Folks wants Peace for miles aroun'
Lord, from New York City down;
But we're a gonna save our Nation
With a Peace Mobilization;
Lord, the cops turn on th' heat
If you talk Peace on th' street
Organize my Brother and Sister
And we'll win this World again;
There's Mean things a happenin' in this World

*This song was recorded on the "Woody Guthrie Singles" album recorded by Blackfire. This album is no longer available.

http://woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Mean_Things_Happenin_In_This_World.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As-ter6rOwY