A Modern Ochs Sings

Subject: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 08 - 08:53 PM

This song is as good as any that Phil Ochs, Buffy, or Bob sang on the subject back in the 60's.

"This is the music video that is rapidly becoming a "defining" song for the peace movement. War Is Not A Game is written by combat veteran, emergency room physician, and congressional candidate Dr. Bill Durston." (From the YouTube info).

The video was posted by someone named dionisi, but I can't tell who the performer was. But it hits you between the yes the way Phil used to do.

A

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: bobad
Date: 25 May 08 - 09:02 PM

Durston's homepage: http://www.durstonforcongress.org/issues/war-is-not-a-game/index.html.

If someone can post the lyrics it would be appreciated by us dial-uppers.

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: GUEST,Peace Movement Activist
Date: 25 May 08 - 09:19 PM

Well, it's a nice song, and noble, and worth supporting in its message. But kind of snooze for a "defining" song for a movement that needs all the energy it can get... Just my opinion.

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 08 - 10:52 PM

Durston writes:

"War is not a Game" is a song that I wrote with help from my daughter, Annie, in 2005. As a combat veteran of Vietnam , I was deeply troubled to learn that the U.S. Army was participating in developing video war games marketed for children. The lyrics for "War is not a Game" came quickly, as the song is largely autobiographical. Annie helped me with the melody and chords, and my wife, Diane, also provided inspiration and advice.

My own singing and guitar playing leave much to be desired, so I sent a very rough version of "War is not a Game" to my talented folk musician friends, Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald, in hopes that they would be interested in recording the song themselves. Paul and Eleanore took a liking to it and labored to give the song just the sound and feel that they thought that I was trying, in my own amateurish way, to express. I am extremely pleased with the final version that Paul and Eleanore produced. Not only did Paul and Eleanore capture my original idea, they added their own hauntingly beautiful reflections on that idea.

When I first asked Paul and Eleanore to record "War is not a Game," we had no idea how we would get the song out to a broad audience. Then, in February of 2006, as a result of a set of unexpected circumstances, I found myself running for Congress in California . Though some conventional political strategists have advised me that releasing "War is not a Game" during my campaign could lose votes, I decided that we must release it now, as it contains a message which is central to why I am running for Congress, and a message which I believe that the American public desperately needs to hear.

Some veterans and members of the military will undoubtedly take offense to the lyrics of the song. I make no apologies for the lyrics, but I would point out that a song that lasts just over four minutes is not intended to summarize every aspect of military life. During my service in the U.S. Marines, I learned many lessons that are not included in this song, and I developed great respect for many of my fellow service men and women. On the other hand, I, like all recruits in all branches of the military in all countries that ever went to war, was indoctrinated to overcome my basic instincts not to kill other human beings.

I am not a pacifist, but I believe that war becomes necessary as a matter of self defense only when the good people of the attacking country relinquish control of their government to warmongers. I also believe that there is abundant historical evidence that not only is war ineffective in combating terrorism, but that war breeds terrorism, and that war is itself a form of terrorism...."

Subject: Lyr Add: WAR IS NOT A GAME (Bill Durston)
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 08 - 11:13 PM

WAR IS NOT A GAME


When I was just a little kid my friends and I played war
We'd shoot 'em dead, and blow 'em up
We didn't know what we were fightin' for
Whenever my Dad would see us playing,
He'd come and spoli our fun
And say "War is not a game, son.
War is not a game."

When I turned eighteen, I joined the Army,
Our country was at war.
The recruiter said I was a patriot,
It was peace I'd be fighting for.
I couldn't wait to tell my Dad--
Thought he'd be proud of what I'd done.
But he said, "War is always the same, son.
War is always the same."

Then he put his arms around me
And told me things I'd never heard before.
He told me what he'd seen and done
When he was in the war.
He said, "Son, I'll always respect you,
For doing what you thought was right.
But the only way that there'll be peace,
Is if we all refuse to fight."

Now the Army sent me off to war,
i was still eighteen years old.
They taught me how to hate, and how to kill,
And just do what I was told.
I could hear my father saying,
Every time I fired my gun,
"War is not a game, son.
War is always the same."

I got back from the war alive.
My body was intact.
I had a son, and as I watched him grow,
Those old memories came back.
He was playing war one day with his friends,
I didn't want to spoil his fun.
But I said, "War is not a game, son.
War is always the same."

I told my son right then and there
Things I'd never told him before.
I told him what I'd seen and done,
When I was in the war.
I said, "Son, you're not too young to learn
To stand up for what is right.
And we can make a better world
If we all learn not to fight."

Before I knew, my son was eighteen,
And our country was at war again.
A recruiter came knocking at our door,
And asked my son if he could come in.
He told my son he'd be a patriot,
And it was peace he'd be fighting for.
My son said, "War is always the same, sir."
And then he closed the door.

Words by Bill Durston
Arrangement by Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald

MP3 at http://www.durstonforcongress.org/issues/docs/War-Is-Not-A-Game.mp3

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: bobad
Date: 26 May 08 - 12:07 AM

Thank you Amos.

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: SouthportFrank
Date: 26 May 08 - 03:53 AM

It's not a great song. We've heard these sentiments expressed before in song and this song doesn't do it any better - or even as well. It lacks a certain something.

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: Rog Peek
Date: 26 May 08 - 04:10 PM

A protest song in the 60s/70s style, but not in my opinion Ochs like. Phil was much more hard hitting both in his lyrics and his delivery.

Rog

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: Amos
Date: 26 May 08 - 04:20 PM

De gustibus non disputandum, gents.


A

Subject: RE: A Modern Ochs Sings
From: Def Shepard
Date: 26 May 08 - 04:34 PM

I think that should read, De gustibus non est disputandum, mate :-D