So many of the songs mentioned have touched me with their eloquent depiction of the horrors of war. Some of these have been neutralized by being played too relentlessly often by those whose skill was not up to the quality of the song. For many years the song "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye"" was like that for me. Then I heard it done by opera singer Ben Luxon. He played, toured and recorded two albums of traditional songs with the late Bill Crofut which were part of what drew me into traditional music. I saw them perform this song live. Bill set up a drum tattoo on the head of his banjo as the only backing to Ben's vocals. Performed in an operatic baritone, with more conviction than any other singer I've ever seen - it was VERY operatic - and you could easily imagine on the stage there with him was the lad "You havn't an eye, you havn't a leg, you're an eyeless, boneless chickenless egg..." and my body was covered in goosebumps. Every hair on my body stood up. I could barely breathe till he sang "I'm happy for to see you home..." Dunno if there's a "best" anti war song, but I'd mark this as the best performance of one in my life.

How a song functions best varies vastly. Some of the more complex or long have the most impact only when sung by those who are very good at it. Other songs are wonderful anthems for peace marchers - more simple, easy to learn, easy to sing. The more cynical songs like " "Hanging on the old barbed wire"" are good for getting folks engaged in the concept who don't realize they too MIGHT have antiwar feelings, but would never find themselves singing "those peacenick" songs.

I'm drawn to the "aftermath of war" sorts of songs. A pair I sing together are Richard Thompson's ""How will I ever be simple again"" and Margaret Nelson's ""Died in the War."" Margaret & Phil Cooper's version of ""Rosemary's Sister"" hits the civilian side of war's aftermath. Years ago I heard Robin & Linda Williams introduce ""Don't let me go home a Stranger"" as always reminding them of a veteran relative. Perhaps it's the gentle feel of thes songs with the message that war touches us all, for years after, that gives them a different sort of powerful impact.

Joanne in Cleveland