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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: IanC Date: 20 Feb 03 - 12:41 PM Dancing At Whitsun |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: mg Date: 20 Feb 03 - 09:54 PM It's a poem but I put a tune to it and probably wrecked it by shortening it...but Watchman what of the night.. mg |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: sharyn Date: 20 Feb 03 - 11:05 PM What about Joni Mitchell's "The Fiddle and the Drum" or Dylan's "tears of Rage?" |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Indiana Brandon Date: 21 Feb 03 - 12:56 AM Allright, I know, I'm jumping into the POP genres, but here's a couple more: "Zombie" by the Cranberries and "Gunpowder" by Wyclef Jean "Zombie" was influenced by the fighting in Northern Ireland and "Gunpowder" was influenced by fighting in Haiti. Everytime I listen to "Gunpowder" it sends chills up and down my spine...lyrics for these two songs can be found at: Zombie @ http://www.alwaysontherun.net/cranber.htm Gunpowder @ http://www.purelyrics.com/index.php?lyrics=cqhpeugh Indiana Brandon |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: banjomad (inactive) Date: 21 Feb 03 - 08:34 AM ' The Old Man's Tale ' by Ian Campbell, three generations in one song, three lifetimes of war and here we go again. We have learnt fucking nothing in the last 200 years. Dave |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,guest Date: 21 Feb 03 - 03:00 PM Maybe not the greatest but very good is And The Poppies Lie Buried Together, humerously sad is The Airman |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Florida Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:46 PM Not necessarily the greatest, but three of the most poignant ones I know are Where Have All The Flowers Gone Lorena Just Before The Battle, Mother The Patriot Game is one of my favorites (I know at least three versions) |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SILVER TASSIE From: Cluin Date: 21 Feb 03 - 11:38 PM Not exactly an anti-war song, I guess, bot not pro-war either: Archie Fisher set music to this little Burns poem on his ORFEO album many years ago, singing it as only he can. I've always liked this little gem.... Silver Tassie Gae bring tae me a pint o' wine And fill it in a silver tassie That I may drink, before I go A service tae my bonnie lassie The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith, Fu' loud the wind blaws frae the Ferry The ship sails by the Berwick-Law And I maun leave my bonnie Mary The trumpets sound, the banners fly The glitt'rin' spears are ranked an' ready The shouts o' war are heard afar And the battle closes deep and bloody Tis not the roar o' sea on shore Wad mak' me langer wish tae tarry Nor shouts o' war that's heard afar But leaving thee, my bonny Mary |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: mg Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:45 AM I sing this to Auld Lang Syne.....words as I remember them by Kipling.. The garden called Gethsemane in Picardy it was And there the people came to see the English soldiers pass We used to pass we used to pass or halt as it may be And ship our masks in case of gas beyond Gethsemane The garden called Gethsemane it held a pretty lass And all the time I talked with her I prayed my cup would pass The officer sat in a chair the men sat on the grass And all the while we lingered there I prayed my cup would pass It did not pass it did not pass it did not pass from me I drank it when we met the gas beyond Gethsemane |
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Subject: Lyr Add: FOR KING AND COUNTRY (Eric Bogle) From: Tiger Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:39 PM Add my dittos to all the previous Bogle recommendations. And, somebody finally mentioned "Lorena" a song so devastating that its singing was banned in the camps, 'cause it made everyone want to go AWOL. Back to Bogle, "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (my all-time favorite) and "No Man's Land" are part of his WWI song trilogy. The third, almost never heard, is: For King And Country — Eric Bogle
For King and for Country, We fought and we died. In the first flush of the dawn In the fields of Somme.First to die was our Captain, He was shot through the lung. He lay in the mud And he choked in his blood. And ten minutes later, On these green fields of France, The grass has turned red, And thousands were dead. And all through that morning, The slaughter went on. We screamed and we cried, And cursed God as we died. And when it was over, And the killing was done, A generation had gone. A generation had gone! |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:00 PM Strafgod - I too would go with "The Minstrel Boy"
It is subtle and gives cause for musing. The tune is light and lyrical but the subject grave and ironic. The contrasts of weak and strong, entertaining and deadly, boy and man, and the phrase "in the ranks of dead you will find him" make it my choice.
You ponder the war's power of enticing the young.
Sincerely,
In my opinion the Civil War addition weakens its impact, Thomas Moore had it right the first time. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Dominic Behan?) From: maire-aine Date: 23 Feb 03 - 02:55 PM Brave New World, by (I think) Dominic Behan: Tell me now, that hate lies sleeping. Tell me now, that the flag is furled. Sing to me an end to weeping. Bring to me visions of a brave new world. Tell me now the day has dawned, love. That man to man, a love as strong has stirred. Sing with me, sing loud this song love. Sing a great welcome to a brave new world. Tell me now that hate is dying, tell me now the war flag will fade. Tell me now that man is trying to use, for man's greatness what great man has made. To raise aloft from degradation, creating great and glorious deeds by the word. The word is love for countless nations, countless men* working for a brave new world. Tell me now, that hate is dead, love. Tell me now, that the flag is done. Tell me how, there is instead, love, In our hearts, hostility to hatred's wrongs. When you sing, for me this song love, to lull the earth, our Mother long disturbed, Only then can we be one, love, where our children live laughing in a brave new world. * I sing "countless hearts" rather than "countless men". |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: anais Date: 24 Feb 03 - 02:13 PM eric bogle really did it best. if i were to pick the classics that always make me cry, would have to be june tabor's version of "no man's land" june tabor again doing "and the band played waltzing matilda" paul brady's killer interpretation of "arthur macbride" paul brady's version of "bonny woodhall" -lovely, surpised no one's mentioned it. maddy prior and tim hart's "dancing at whitsun" john roberts and tony barrand "valley of the shadow" -again, a brilliant song, wish i could offer up all the lyrics but i don't know 'em. sandy denny, "banks of the nile" dick gaughan, "handful of earth" steeleye span's "the victory"...oh god, it's just really sad. and who ever it is who sings christmas in the trenches...? recently i've been taken with the idea of teaching large groups to sing "hanging on the old barbed wire" and taking to the streets. a good comment about the "chicken hawks" running the show these days. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: KING'S COMMAND (Dougie MacLean) From: Cluin Date: 25 Feb 03 - 02:16 AM Another one from Dougie, off his 1980 Snaigow album: King's Command (MacLean/Stewart/Hadden/Sutherland) I've been called to fight for royalty For the King at his right hand Be a martyr for my country Spill my blood out on the land And if I should die in battle Then it's a noble thing I do But if I should be a hero Then I will return to you The glens have been my kingdom My only loyalty And I would raise my sword against the lord To protect my family But to join an English army And to fight for them abroad Not for England, nor her empire Would I ever raise my sword I can hear the trumpets sounding It will lead me far away But although my soul is leaving My heart will surely stay And I will fight for them tomorrow Though it be against my will Than to see my children perish On an English soldier's sword (repeat 1st verse) |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Cluin Date: 25 Feb 03 - 02:32 AM In the 3rd last line above, it should be "word", not "will". |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 25 Feb 03 - 05:07 PM I'd like to put in a word for "Catalonia", recorded by De Dannan and written I believe by Phil Colclough. Very poignant. Also a song I've heard in my local pub, don't know the title or composer, but the chorus goes: "And the petals fell from the rose of York Never to rise again". Anybody got any info. about this? Piff |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Andrew Date: 25 Feb 03 - 05:31 PM Have to agree with anais. As many have said Band played Walting Matilda has to be No 1 but in a simple sort of how to combat war Aurther and his cousin in Arthur McBride and the Sergeant did a pretty good job. Others Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire Willie Mc Bride Andrew |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Cluin Date: 25 Feb 03 - 05:50 PM Yeah, those two Bogle songs, "No Man's Land" and "Band Played Waltzing Matilda", I used to like. Great anti-war songs, but now I'm just so damned sick of them. The fellow who used to sing them in our band just recently left and the rest of us agreed we never want to play them again. I won't miss that at all. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: sharyn Date: 25 Feb 03 - 10:36 PM The House Band sings a lovely one called "The Walls of Troy," which you can also hear on Out of the Rain's "With the Friends I Love Best." |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE H-BOMB'S THUNDER (John Brunner) From: Neighmond Date: 25 Feb 03 - 11:42 PM THE H-BOMB'S THUNDER (John Brunner) Don't you hear the H-bombs' thunder Echo like the crack of doom? While they rend the skies asunder Fall-out makes the earth a tomb; Do you want your homes to tumble, Rise in smoke towards the sky? Will you let your cities crumble, Will you see your children die? Cho: Men and women, stand together. Do not heed the men of war. Make your minds up now or never, Ban the bomb for evermore. Tell the leaders of the nations Make the whole wide world take heed: Poison from the radiations Strikes at every race and creed. Must you put mankind in danger, Murder folk in distant lands? Will you bring death to a stranger, Have his blood upon your hands? Shall we lay the world in ruin? Only you can make the choice. Stnp and think of what you're doing. Join the march and raise your voice. Time is short; we must be speedy. We can see the hungry filled, House the homeless, help the needy. Shall we blast, or shall we build ? For what it's worth Chaz |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 26 Feb 03 - 02:42 AM The Green Fields of France. Where Have All The Flowers Gone. The Flowers Of The Forest. These would be my choices. The Flowers of The Forest is played on the pipes at all military funerals. I like the song too. One day it will be played for me. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Snuffy Date: 26 Feb 03 - 08:44 AM Surprised nobody's mentioned Ian Campbell's "The sun is burning in the sky". |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Cluin Date: 27 Feb 03 - 02:04 AM I see the same song mentioned here a number of times by it's 3 different names: "No Man's Land", "Willie McBride", and "Green Fields of France". But Eric Bogle, who wrote it, called it "No Man's Land". The folk process in action again... |
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Subject: Lyr Add: PEACE IN THE END (from Sandy Denny) From: GUEST,alinact Date: 27 Feb 03 - 02:09 PM You don't hear this one very often, but a great song by Sandy Denny and Fotheringay. Allan PEACE IN THE END Come on Mary, Mary or you, John, To which religion do you belong? You and your lover, you and your friend, Peace in the end. What about me, me and my kind, If we're unknown, are we left behind? We have our lovers, too, and our friends, Hope in the end. You may think our lives are forever. I think you could be wrong. But if we were together, together, I know we could get on. Go ask your neighbours to come and sing songs, You know they've wanted to all along. I've seen them smile for their friends, All in the end. You may think our lives are forever. I think you could be wrong. But if we were together, together I know we could get on. I've seen them stand at the top of the hill, And none of them coming down, But who will be the last one to kill? And who will be the clown? Come on Mary, Mary or you, John, To which religion do you belong? You are our lovers, you are our friends, Peace in the end. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Elfcall Date: 27 Feb 03 - 03:16 PM The song that Piff (guest) is aiming at is Rose of York by Ken Thompson and Leslie Hale (according to my insert anyway). The version I have is by Roy Bailey and whatever your view on Roy is, it is a feckin' cracking interpretation. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:42 AM no mans land. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE LETTER (Boris Vian) From: GUEST,NSC George Henderson Date: 18 Mar 03 - 10:13 AM The Letter Written in French but I do not know the name of the composer, not do I know who translated the song. It was written, I think, in the early 1950's and was in protest at being called up to fight in the French-Algerian war. The translation is excellent and how the translator managed to get the internal rhyming so perfect and at the same time keep the whole meaning of the song intact I will never know. This is definitely the best anti war song I have yet come across. This letter gentlemen is to you politicians You men in high positions, please read it if you can. When I woke up today orders were waiting for me To go and join the army at once without delay I shall not Gentlemen, That's why I write this letter, To say that man had better refuse to fight again. These words are true I'm sure, I don't mean to upset you, I only want to let you know that men are sick of war. For many years we've seen how men have fought each other, Seen brother snatched from brother, seen children lost in tears. Mother with swollen eyes cry whilst the rich not caring Are too busy profiteering and grow fat on crimes and lies I've seen the prisoners, what did they do to merit, This sapping of the spirit, this theft of what they were. Tomorrow I'll be gone, I'll slam the door behind me On all that will remind me, of cruelty and war Well then I'll make my way, around the world I'll travel I'll speak out against evil and this is what I'll say Man, it's great to be alive and all mankind are brothers In this world and all others, so help your brothers thrive. If blood is to be shed, shed yours you politicians You men in high positions but be it on you head Follow me if you will, bring out your men and arm them Tell them that I will not harm them for disarmed I'm safe to kill. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Orac Date: 18 Mar 03 - 11:28 AM Unfortunately this song has gone the way of "Streets of London" and has been done to death. Consequently, I squirm in my seat every time I hear it these days.. as I do also with "no-man's land" . Its a pity as both are good songs. I'm sure the Wild Rover was ok once but there is a limit to how often you can sit through something. What doesn't help I guess is that all are usually sung very badly by the finger in the ear brigade, who seem to think that a good song is all that matters and not how its sung. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 18 Mar 03 - 12:30 PM How about The first I met was a grey haired father Searching for his only son I said to him there's no use searching For up to HEaven your son has gone The Dying Rebel I have heard that only one US Congreeman or Senator has a child in the US Military. Perhaps Bush should send his own Children to Iraq |
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Subject: Lyr Add: TROOPERS LAMENT (Bruce Phillips) From: Mark Ross Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:18 PM Check this one out. Mark Ross TROOPERS LAMENT Bruce Phillips I sailed from Seattle far away from friends and home, Far across the blue Pacific to the Land of Morning Calm, "Here's your helmet and your rifle and your prophylactics too, And as sure as I'm your captain we will make a man of you." The 105's were pounding and their thunder shook the night, I asked my bold commander, "Who am I here to fight?", "It's the slopes, and the slants, and the gooks and chinks," said he, And I wondered if their captain ever said the same of me. I have seen the mountain winter where the air was cold and still, But, oh, that frozen Chosen it was a living hell, With the fever, and the jaundice, and a hundred kinds of mold, We were slaughtered in our mummy bags by bayonets and cold. And everywhere I traveled from the gap at Kummaree, The Yungsan Reservation and the camps at Moonsonee, The frozen plains at Inchon my boots rotting on my feet, All I heard were starving babies while their mothers walked the street. We bought cameras, we bought watches, we bought whores and we bought booze, With the little barefoot beggars bending down to shine our shoes, We gave them back their candy and to answer our desire, We gave them round-eyed babies who died outside the wire. I got off in Seattle and I climbed on board a train, I rode it through the mountains with a fever in my brain, I could find no reason to remain here anymore, There was not trace around me of the life I'd lived before. Now what's the pride in country if it robs a man of will, And where's the pride in manhood if a man will rape and kill, And what's the pride in killing if the dead will rise again, Ah, but there's a pride in knowing there's and enemy within. So listen all you troopers, here's a lesson you should know, From an older brown-shoe soldier who marched off long ago, They will use your pride and passion for to settle all their fights, Keep your pride in your trousers and the captain in your sights. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Bennet Zurofsky Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:00 PM I prefer songs that everyone in the room, or on the street, can join in with. Most of the songs mentioned above only work in a quiet dsetting with everyone listening. They have too many words to be effective with a crowd or with people who don't already know them. Sing-a-longs also have the benefit of promoting feelings of fellowship and solidarity among the assemblage. I few good ones of the sort I favor have been listed above, here is a list of some that I have been singing at recent demonstrations: This Little Light of Mine (with lyrics like We've got the peace light burning . . .); Blowing In the Wind; We Shall Overcome (We shall live in peace . . ., We are not afraid . . .); Down By the Riverside; Hinei Ma Tov; Lo Yisa Goy; We Shall Not Be Moved (We'll work for peace and freedom, we shall not be moved); Paz y Libertad; and Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream. I would love to see (or be reminded of) other songs of this type. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MOTHER'S PRIDE (George Michael) From: GUEST,Jambo1874 Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:48 PM Sorry for drifting into the pop genre - and worse, into the "bubble gum" pop genre. How and ever, one of my favourite anti-war songs was performed by George Michael. It's the song "Mother's Pride" from his 1990 album "Listen Without Prejudice". According to the sleeve notes, GM wrote this as well. The lyrics are set out below, but you really have to hear the song (the lad really can sing) to fully appreciate it. "Mother's Pride" Oh she knows She takes his hand And prays the child will understand At the door they watch the men go by In the clothes that daddy wore Mothers pride Baby Boy His father's eyes He's a soldier waiting for war Time will come He'll hold a gun His father's son And as he grows He hears the band Takes the step from boy to man And at the shore she waves her son goodbye Like the man she did before Mothers pride Just a boy His country's eyes He's a soldier waving at the shore And in her heart the time has come To lose a son And all the husbands, all the sons, all the lovers gone They make no difference No difference in the end Still hear the women say your daddy died a hero In the name of God and man Mothers pride Crazy boy His lifeless eyes He's a soldier now forevermore He'll hold a gun till kingdom come |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: sharyn Date: 19 Mar 03 - 11:56 AM Bennet, How about "We're Going to Keep on Walking Forward" by Judy Small. It's a "zipper song," will take any verses you put into the form: We're going to keep on walking forward, Keep on walking forward, Keep on walking forward: Never turning back, Never turning back. So you can add things like "We're going to work for peace and freedom..." etc. Cheers! Sharyn |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 20 Mar 03 - 07:36 AM It's been a while since I looked at this thread (dunno why) Loke Snuffy I love Ian Campbell's Sun is burning. check out some (mainly) Australian songs on this link The Union Songs website (http://crixa.com/muse/unionsong/) has a number of anti-war songs including Call to Arms Richard Mills The Cavemen Peggy Seeger Coalition of the Willing John Warner The Crow on the Cradle Sydney Carter Four Strong Women Maurie Mulheron Hey, Mr. President, Don't You Kill for Me! Ron and Tom Piechota International Cowboy John Warner Iraqi War Song Country Bumpkin and the Hogs No Blood For Oil Jim Lesses P.E.A.C.E. Ken Stewart Paul Robeson Sumishta Brahm Terrorist Song John Dengate Warsong Bernard Carney Water to the Trenches Steve Barnes There is also a ready to print ebook called "Peace is Union Business" at: http://crixa.com/muse/unionsong/ebooks/peacesongs.pdf |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,ta2 Date: 20 Mar 03 - 10:06 AM why has no one mentioned "Where have all the flowers gone ?" |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Beccy Date: 20 Mar 03 - 10:25 AM I have to say, "Let There Be Peace On Earth" by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson 'cause my Mom always sang it to me. Beccy |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Little Hawk Date: 20 Mar 03 - 08:39 PM "Universal Soldier" by Buffy Sainte-Marie "With God On Our Side" by Bob Dylan "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHAUR DAE YE LIE? (Karine Polwart) From: michaelr Date: 21 Mar 03 - 07:08 PM I'm surprised no one has mentioned "Whaur Dae Ye Lie" (Where do you lie) by Malinky singer Karine Polwart. It's about the Bosnian war, and reduces me to tears every time I hear it. It's simple enough to use in a sing-along... if you can get through it. A devastating song. Whaur Dae Ye Lie? (Karine Polwart) Chorus: Whaur dae ye lie my faither? Whaur dae ye lie my son? Whaur dae ye lie my ane true love? When will the truth be won? Oor friends they came to protect us Oor friends they bade us bide Oor friends left us standing there naked Wi' nae place left to hide (CH) Oor neighbours they came wi' a hundred years' hate Oor neighbours they came wi' guns Oor neighbours they came for oor menfolk An' they slew them every one (CH) I hae sought oot yer grave wi' my mither I hae sought oot yer grave in vain I hae sought the bare banes o' the truth and the men Faither whaur are ye lain? (CH) I hae cried oot yer name to the four winds I hae cried oot yer name till the dawn I hae cried in the arms o' yer sister dear Whaur dae ye lie my son? (CH) I hae dreamed o' yer breath upon me I hae dreamed o' yer yellow hair I hae dreamed o' the sounds o' yer dying, love Whaur dae ye lie my dear? (CH) From the album "Last Leaves" (Greentrax, 2000) Cheers, Michael |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: The Walrus Date: 22 Mar 03 - 06:08 AM mary garvey, I find myself singing "Gethsemene" to the tune of "There is a Green Hill" (I suppose it's the Easter link that did it. Walrus |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: saulgoldie Date: 22 Mar 03 - 10:28 AM Many excellent mentions, here, and some new ones that I will have to look into. "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and "Christmas in the Trenches" (by John McCutcheon, by the way) are two of my tops. God on Our Side, I Ain't Marching Anymore, Universal Soldier, The Box, and so many others. Wow! Non-war has inspired some really great material. Let me add: "Cranes Over Hiroshima" and also "Peace Is..." both by Fred Small, and almost on topic: "Let The Band Play Dixie" by the late, great Bob Gibson; and then "Peace Will Come" by Tom Paxton. (I have transcriptions for all four of these and "Christmas ITT", too if anyone wants.) Don't know if I can say "greatest", but they are all great and so important! Thanks for the thread! Humanity will only survive if peace prevails. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 22 Mar 03 - 03:32 PM Yes - Cranes over Hiroshima has to be the saddest. And The Plains of Waterloo - or any broken token song - to make you think how the experience of war makes you unrecognisable to your loved ones. And the time to sing them is now. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: George Papavgeris Date: 22 Mar 03 - 05:24 PM What a wonderful thread, and what great songs mentioned! But in 140+ postings, I saw not a single song offered by a Mudcatter, at least not directly; with so many singer-songwriters among us, that surprises me. Is humility the reason? If so, and in order to "open the door of shame for others", I will post in subsequent messages three offerings of mine, which are about to be published in my new album, "Silent Majority", under the UNLaBELLED subsidiary label of Robb Johnson's Irregular Records: a) The Flowers and the Guns b) It takes a soldier c) What life for a soldier I am NOT proposing that they are in any way "greatest ever..."; just offering them for constructive criticism and just for the hell of it. In the context of what is happening on our TV screens, I think they are all apt. So, unless I see some negative reaction in the next 15 minutes, I will start posting... |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: George Papavgeris Date: 22 Mar 03 - 06:04 PM No reaction yet...I'll wait a little longer. I know for a fact that Hovering Bob has written a cracking anti-war song ("Don't let the music die"). How about the rest of you? My personal all-time favourite is "The gift of years", I think it's Eric Bogle's, not sure. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: FLOWERS AND THE GUNS (George Papavgeris) From: George Papavgeris Date: 22 Mar 03 - 07:02 PM Oh, well, I waited for almost 90 mins, nobody has objected (or nobody has read the thread, perhaps you're all glued to the TV screens). So here goes the first installment. Slow laid-back rhythm, the tune is supposed to be wistful: THE FLOWERS AND THE GUNS (an indictment for my generation) Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? Dried up and pressed inside a frame, they never get a second glance. The love that we would banish war with, on bombed out streets now naked stands. Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? Where is the innocence of youth, the stars that once were in our eyes? When did we learn to cover truth with our excuses and our lies? When did our ideals falter? Tell me, when did we change our plans? Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? Our lives from others we have learned to separate From evil we avert our eyes. More often war it is, and not love, that we make And all the time we compromise. We used to turn the other cheek, but now we turn our face away. We were the blessed and the meek; our future brighter than the day. But we've forgotten Luther's message; we never ask ourselves, not once: Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? But we've arrived, and as we pat each other's backs, Our principles we now betray And year on year as we progress and we advance, It's not just hair that's turning grey... Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? Where are the lessons we would pass on to our daughters and our sons? And did we ever make a difference? and did we ever stand a chance? Where are the flowers that we put into the muzzles of the guns? (Copyright 2002 George Papavgeris) Next installment tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: saulgoldie Date: 23 Mar 03 - 10:12 AM And let me add: "Global Carnival" from Dick Holmes circa 1987. (I heard it presented by The Limeliters at a WFMA benefit.) It contains a few time markers that are no longer relevant. But it is still a very nice song about everyone getting along. Again, if anyone cares, I have it transcribed (as I do many of the songs I mention). |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DUCT AND COVER (Reggie Miles) From: reggie miles Date: 23 Mar 03 - 10:34 AM El Greko, there is a submission by a Mudcatter above. Mrrzy posted a link to one of his here in this thread that was originally posted in the Why Sack Iraq thread. While we're on the subject, here's one I posted to the songbook and elsewhere here. Duct and Cover by Reggie Miles 2003 The threat of war is loomin', Anthrax bombs may soon be zoomin', To your bedrooms in the suburbs but don't despair. From deep within his mountain bunker, Where Gee Dubbya's gonna hunker, A solution to our dilemma he's sure to share. Our best scientific minds, Were charged to seek and find, An all American answer to our plight, And with the billions spent, On defense research by government, They finally discovered one that works just right. Yes they've found it girls and boys. Protection from those evil toys, Affordable and available throughout the land, Yankee ingenuity, Has triumphed once again you see, Providing safety to every woman, child, and man. And what miracle is this, That secures our freedom bliss, And ensures all our blessed liberties? What treasure is it, made by man, That can do, what no other can, This creation of our modern techno-lull-ogies? It's the simplest things they say, That can always save the day, And it's oh so very true in this case too. You needn't build a big bomb shelter, You can avoid the helter skelter. Listen closely here is what they say to do. Just duct tape and cover your windows and your door, With plastic sheeting you can buy at any hardware store. It's an easy thing to do no matter if you're rich or poor, And much cleaner than crawling 'neath your desk down on all four. It's a lesson we've all learned in school, fifty years ago. When we feared that the idea of droppin' A-bombs would grow. *They've changed the words to suit our times. *Yesterday's of duck and cover rhymes. *Are now just duct tape and cover instead. It kind of makes you wonder, Why Gee Dubbya's way down under, Neath the mountain in his little hidy hole. When all he needs to do, Is just follow me or you, To buy some plastic sheeting and some duct tape by the roll. Then he could duct tape and cover the Whitehouse windows and door, With plastic easily bought from any hardware store. No need to kiss his butt goodbye, When missiles fall down from the sky, When he can duct tape and cover instead. (repeat*) |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Fran Date: 23 Mar 03 - 12:22 PM Also there is "When the Wind Blows" by Eric Bogle This is a very chilling song about Nulcear War |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DIED IN THE WAR (Margaret Nelson) From: Bruce Date: 23 Mar 03 - 04:40 PM Eric Bogle is hard to beat, and gets my vote ... Band Played Waltzing Matilda and No Mans Land, both great. A very moving anti-war song was written 1995 by Margaret Nelson: "Died in the War" She's middle-aged now. She uses her time For her friends and her work and improving her mind. She's lonesome tonight. She knows who it's for: Her sweetheart, who died in the war. When her lover came home, she thought that her life Would be husband and babies, mother and wife, But the man was a stranger who walked through her door. Her sweetheart had died in the war. (Bridge tune): Died of the bullets, the mines and the shells, Died with his buddies in two years of hell With a wall round his heart where love needs a door. Her sweet heart he died in the war. He's a pretty good boss. he works with his crew Taking old buildings and making 'em new. Some nights he drinks less. Some nights he drinks more. His sweetheart, she died in the war. (Bridge tune again) Died of the hard words, the booze and the pain, Died of the distance, he couldn't explain. The girl was a stranger who walked out the door His sweetheart, she died in the war. She's middle-aged now. She uses her time For her friends and her work and improving her mind. She might have done less. She might have had more. Her sweetheart he died in the war. Copyright 1995 by Margaret J. Nelson |
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Subject: Lyr Add: IT TAKES A SOLDIER From: George Papavgeris Date: 23 Mar 03 - 05:14 PM OK, here's the next installment - brisk tune, a bit like a march. The news item referred to in verse one was about the UK shipyards winning a contract to build 2 aircraft carriers; I saw a shop steward being ever so enthusiastic about the jobs that meant, conveniently ignoring that he would be building instruments of war. Chorus at the bottom, sung after each verse. IT TAKES A SOLDIER I heard it yesterday on the news And to believe it I refused To hear the working man enthused That more guns would be built. And I remember thinking then That wallet wins the heart again And we will sing the old refrain As further blood is spilt: The circle is a vicious one, It's been like this since time began, For after all is said and done The soldier needs his bread. But no one can explain to me With all this land and all this sea Why we don't turn our soldiery To farm and fish instead. And I can almost hear you say "the world has always been that way, "for peace and freedom you must pay "and nothing is for free". But vicious circles you can break, 'Tis but an easy step to take: Just throw the guns into the lake But keep just one for me;-) If only we could understand Before things spiral out of hand It's not supply, but our demand That does the monster feed. And still our leaders never cease To manufacture enemies It isn't them that threaten peace, The problem is our greed. (chorus) It takes a soldier to fire the gun To make it you need a working man To feed him the farmer will plough the land It all goes hand in hand. But to feed the soldier and the man Who makes the gun, you need more land, And to get more land of course You need a soldier. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Bennet Zurofsky Date: 23 Mar 03 - 05:45 PM I believe "Never Turning Back" credited to Judy Small above, is actually by Pat Humphrey. It is a good one and I am glad to be reminded of it. |
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