The long and short of it is that--given when it was written it was related to Viet Nam. Sadly, however, it still holds meaning today in Iraq and other places we might be or have been involved in.

I always wonder if Pete Seeger knew that his song would be an allegory for so many other sad events. Phil Ochs--one can pose the same query there. Or perhaps the better word is "topical".

A while back I played Big Muddy on my radio program (Traditions WFDU) in a set dealing with the current ---or then current (and still current) Iraq situation.

Interestingly, back in the late 60s I was at a concert where Pete Seeger sang that piece and people (including one of my (ex)friends) stormed out with pure hate and loathing toward Mr. Seeger on their lips. They never did get what he was saying I believe.

Bill Hahn