WHO KILLED NORMA JEAN?
Lyrics: Norman Rosten
Music: Pete Seeger, 1963

Who killed Norma Jean?
I, said the City, as a civic duty,
I killed Norma Jean.

Who saw her die?
I, said the Night, and a bedroom light,
We saw her die.

Who'll catch her blood?
I, said the Fan, with my little pan,
I'll catch her blood.

Who'll make her shroud?
I, said the Lover, my guilt to cover,
I'll make her shroud.

Who'll dig her grave?
The tourist will come and join in her fun,
He'll dig her grave.

Who'll be the chief mourners?
We who represent, and lose our ten percent.
We'll be the chief mourners.

Who'll bear the pall?
We, said the Press, in pain and distress,
We'll bear the pall.

Who'll toll the bell?
I, screamed the mother, locked in her tower,
I'll pull (or ring) the bell.

Who'll soon forget?
I, said the Page, beginning to fade,
I'll be first to forget.

In his musical autobiography, "Where Have all the Flowers Gone," Pete Seeger says he read the poem in Life Magazine, and put a tune to it. On his "We Shall Overcome" CD, Seeger says Norman Rosten was a friend who knew Marilyn Monroe well. On the CD, the mother says, "I'll RING the bell."

-Joe Offer-