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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: JennyO Date: 17 May 04 - 06:46 AM Aw, I LOVE that song, especially at the end of festivals. However, it could be relevant for any situation when you are not sure when you will see someone again. Unfortunately that real possibility is very much a part of wartime. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Pogo Date: 16 May 04 - 02:09 PM Here's a Health To The Company by the Cheiftans is also a good one...dunno if it could be strictly called an anti-war song but it is rather sobering to listen to. Chorus: So here's a health to the company And one to my lass Let's drink and be merry all out of one glass Let's drink and be merry all grief to refrain For we may or might never All meet here again |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Pogo Date: 16 May 04 - 02:00 PM Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye got mentioned a few posts back. There's a powerful version by a group called Steve Carroll and the Bograts...they bring out such a tone of anger and sorrow in that song. Incidentally which song came first " Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye " or " When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again "? I've always wondered about that |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 15 May 04 - 04:16 PM Not the greatest anti-war song ever, but I like this parody version of a Stevie Nicks' song done by the Vichy Chicks. |
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Subject: ADD: Ballad of Penny Evans (Steve Goodman)^^^ From: GUEST,Augie Date: 15 May 04 - 03:01 PM Steve Goodman wrote this the last time we got into a stupid ass war. The Ballad Of Penny Evans (Steve Goodman) Oh my name is Penny Evans and I just turned twenty-one A young widow in the war that's being fought in Viet Nam And I have two infant daughters and I do the best I can Now they say the war is over, but I think it's just began. And I remember I was seventeen on the day I met young Bill At his grandma's grand piano, we'd play good old 'Heart and Soul' Well, I only knew the left hand part and he the right so well He's the only boy I ever slept with and the only one I will. It's first we had a baby girl and we had two good years It was next the 1A notice came and we parted without tears It was nine months from our last good night our second babe appears And it's ten months and a telegram confirming all our fears. And now every month I get a check from some Army bureaucrat And it's every month I tear it up, and I mail the damn thing back. Do you think that makes it all right, do you think I'd fall for that? And you can keep your bloody money,sure won't bring my Billy back. I never cared for politics,speeches I don't understand, And likewise never took no charity from any living man. But tonight there's fifty thousand gone in that unhappy land And fifty thousand 'Heart and Soul's' being played with just one hand. And my name is Penny Evans and I've just gone twenty-one A young widow in the war that's being fought in Viet Nam And I have two infant daughters and I thank God I have no sons Now they say the war is over, but I think it's just begun. ^^^ I heard him sing this in 1975 and as he later wrote regarding the "Old Smoothies",there was "not a dry eye in the crowd". |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Tunesmith Date: 15 May 04 - 01:46 PM The older I get, the more Buffy St.Marie's "The Universal Soldier" makes a lot of sense. In anti-war songs, more often than not, it's the generals and the leaders who are depicted as the real guilty parties, and the poor foot soldier is seen as "only a pawn in the game", however... |
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Subject: Lyr Add: LOGAN BRAES (Robert Burns) From: Bearheart Date: 15 May 04 - 11:14 AM I've read this thread pretty thoroughly and don't think anyone has mentioned these three-- perhaps not the greatest-- many of those have already been mentioned. This by Robert Burns: LOGAN BRAES Robert Burns, 1793 O Logan, sweetly didst thou glide That day I was my Willie's bride, And years sin syne hae o'er us run Like Logan to the simmer sun. But now thy flowery banks appear Like drumlie winter, dark and drear, While my dear lad maun face his faes From far frae me and Logan braes. Again the merry month of May Has made our hills and vallies gay; The birds rejoice in leafy bowers, The bees hum round the breathing flowers; Blythe Morning lifts his rosy eye, And Evening's tears are tears o' joy: My soul delightless a' surveys, While Willie's far frae Logan braes. Within yon milk-white hawthorn bush, Amang her nestlings sits the thrush: Her faithfu' mate will share her toil, Or wi' his song her cares beguile. But I wi' my sweet nurslings here, Nae mate to help, nae mate to cheer, Pass widow'd nights and joyless days, While Willie's far frae Logan braes. O, wae upon you, Men o' State, That brethren rouse in deadly hate! As ye make monie a fond heart mourn, Sae may it on your heads return! Ye mindna' mid your cruel joys The widow's tears, the orphan's cries; But soon may peace bring happy days, And Willie hame to Logan braes. Originally called Logan Braes and slated for publication in Scottish Airs.However, it was deemed too inflammatory for its anti-war message and was not published until 1800 in "Works". I may have found this in the DT or on a Burns web site. Don't remember. And this, which I learned from the second Silly Sisters album-- lyrics (I think) from Maddy Prior's site?: BLOOD AND GOLD / MOHACS On rides a captain and 300 soldier lads Out of the morning mist and thro' the silent snow Whistling gaily rides the captain at their head Behind him soldier boys sadly weeping go O lads of mine weep no more You are gone to kill and die For when you took my gold and swore to follow me You sold away your lives and your liberty No more you'll till the soil, no more you'll work the land No more to the dance you'll go and take girls by the hand O mother weep for your son He is gone to kill and die You'll weep, you'll die by the keen edge of the sword You'll all go in the fire there'll be no hiding place O mother hear the drumbeat in the village square O mother that drums for me to go for a soldier there Mothers sisters wives, weep for us Marked as Cain we lie alone MY SON JOHN My son John was tall and slim He had a leg for every limb But now he's got no legs at all For he run a race with a cannonball With me roo rum rar, faddle diddle dar Whack faddlle liddle with me roo rum rar. Oh were you deaf, were you blind When you left your two fine legs behind Or was it sailing on the sea Lost your two fine legs right down to the knee With me roo rum rar etc. Oh I was not deaf, I was not blind When I left my two fine legs behind Nor was it sailing on the sea, Lost my two fine legs right down to the knee With me roo rum rar, etc. For I was tall, I was slim And I had a leg for every limb, But now I've got no legs at all, They were both shot away by a cannonball. With me roo rum rar, etc. I think many of the traditional songs were composed by those left behind. I think it was perhaps more politically dangerous to speak to the bigger issues back then than now-- go back several hundred years and you see a very different social picture. If we aren't careful to protect those freedoms we may turn back the clock... |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Athena Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:31 PM I have to say that i found this site because i was looking for lyrics for "business goes on as usual". So i would have to say that that is a powerful song. However, i would have to agree that "Last night I had the Strangest Dream" is also a most powerful song. I even have a patch of that song on my back pack. There are more songs coming out too that are very powerful. I don't usually go for the newer bands, but i would like to bring to you attention: Antiflag, on thier CD mobilize. I don't remeber what song it was, but they worked in a very powerful Martin Luther King Quote. It was very moving, a kind of new and old together. I know that Antiflag is very loud, but i just wanted to make the point that some good things are coming up. So keep your ears open. Athena McCutcheon "Hey, mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me." |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: plum Date: 23 Jan 04 - 07:08 PM scarecrows by john tams |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,JeanValjean Date: 23 Jan 04 - 04:08 AM I tried his site, but couldn't find it, but I went to a diffrent site, "Come together Now" and they say it's a Rodger Whitekar song, so at least I know now it was him! But at any rate, I think his song "Come Young Citizens Of The World" should be considered a candidate for ONE OF the greatest ant-war songs, because it may not have the words death or war, or blood in it, but it is pro peace. I think some of the best Anti-war songs, arn't always those which explain the evils of war, but the comforts of peace, and the rewards of the fellowship of mankind. i.e. B.M's "From A Distance" |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 23 Jan 04 - 02:13 AM its called "Why?" sorry I dont have the lyrics, have you tried his website? I started a thread a while ago "Roger Whittaker, whats he up to now?" I'll refresh it for you. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,JeanValjean Date: 23 Jan 04 - 02:05 AM Can someone help me? I'm Looking for a song that I heard as a kid. I thought it was sung by Rodger Whitekar, but maybe I'm wrong? The only part I can remember is "Will the last word ever spoken be why?" Can anyone help me with this? I would appreciate it. Thanks very much, JVJ |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Dylan Date: 30 Dec 03 - 11:54 AM the best ones for me are by the Levellers the one called Another Mans Cause look it up and it is truely a cracker the next one is by Gaberlunzie called Dont you bury me before the battle such a god antiwar song about a bunch of soldiers on a hill top waiting for the morning to come and face there fate. i think its on the baslladeers web site i dont know how to do the bluey thingys but look on that and you'll find the lyrics Dylan |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Lancashire Lad Date: 29 Dec 03 - 06:01 PM Seems that many have overlooked Mike Hardings's Bombers Moon album. The title track that tells the tale of his father dying during WW2 is heartbreaking. The album also contains a great "anti" WW1 song The Accrington Pals, not to mention a great version of ".....Waltzing Matilda" (Which is almost as good as June Tabor's version) |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Hand-Pulled Boy Date: 29 Dec 03 - 11:38 AM 'Poor Billy' by harriWatts band. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge Date: 29 Dec 03 - 10:59 AM I `ad that Jacques Chirac in my cab once. `e reckoned those French soldiers at Agincourt must `ave `ad a good anti war song as they marched down that valley but there were`nt nobody left to write it down. Any roads, I reckon us song writers is flogging a dead `orse. It don`t seem to make one `alfpenny worth of difference even after 10,000 years. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge Date: 29 Dec 03 - 10:47 AM |
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Subject: when i go to heaven mama From: GUEST,? Date: 28 Dec 03 - 11:32 PM |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST Date: 19 Dec 03 - 10:48 AM I'm afraid I cannot tolerate "The band played Waltzing Matilda". Perhaps because it at least implies there was conscription in Australia in WWI. There wasn't. Perhaps because it claims Suvla as an Australian landing. It wasn't. Perhaps because it proclaims Suvla an opposed landing. It wasn't. If he'd written something about Anzac cove, Y Beach etc. fine, but distorting the truth weakens the case against the Great Obscenity. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: mg Date: 19 Dec 03 - 12:42 AM Was that the one that Harvey Andrews wrote? It is in some threads here if I recall....mg |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: swampy-the-spark Date: 18 Dec 03 - 04:33 PM I have just spent the last half hour reading this thread , with tears in my eyes for some of it. I aggree with all the poster's Tom Paxman's Jimmy Newman and Bogels walzing matilda, but can I submit Silos also by eric bogel, about the guys in the missile silos having doubts about there role. Also can any one recall a song about a English soilger in Ireland throwing him self on the top of a bomb ? I recall one line as: the soldger stoped he could not move , his gun he could not use, he knew there were seconds not minuets on the fuse........" I would love the full lyrics if any one out there in the bigest folk club in the world can help. Fellow folkies keep your pecker up the wolrld may mock us but we will have the last laugh ?? Clive Davies birmingham UK Clive.davies9@tiscalia.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: George Papavgeris Date: 02 Dec 03 - 06:17 PM Oh, yes, ThomasO - very sure. Eric even got the Unesco Peace Medal on the strength of this and other anti-war songs (Gift of years, As if he knows, No Man's Land etc). Don't trust the Irish music publishers, they are notorious copyright thieves. The Furey Brothers renamed "No Man's Land" to "Green fields of France" and had a hit with it. Did they attribute the song to its author? Did they heck - only years later after Eric raised merry hell with the record company. So, to recap, S(H)oodlums Irish Ballads is wrong on two counts: The song is not "trad", and it is not Irish - Scottish or Australian, if you like, given Eric's spiritual and physical homes; but definitely not Irish. PS: Another example of the Irish music publishers' antics: Enya's 80's hit "Sail away". I bet you thought Enya wrote it! Try closer to London - Rod Shearman, a guy that died poor in 2001, having failed to defeat them in court despite all the evidence being on his side; he couldn't afford the big time lawyers... |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Strupag Date: 02 Dec 03 - 06:08 PM Absolutely certain Thomas O! |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Frankham Date: 02 Dec 03 - 05:55 PM A couple of unusual candidates might be: "Ragapati Ragava Rajah Ram" (an appeal to unite Muslims and Hindus in India) which was one of Mahatma Ghandi's favorite songs. I like "Verner Von Braun" by Tom Lehrer. ( A comment on the defense industry). Frank Hamilton |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: ThomasO Date: 02 Dec 03 - 11:14 AM Are you sure that Eric Bogle wrote 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' I'm sure i saw it it Soodlums Irish Ballads published in 1982 Oak. And i thought they were all trad? t |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Dave Hanson Date: 02 Dec 03 - 05:33 AM Pete Seegers original version of ' Where Have All The Flowers Gone ' eric |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Amos Date: 01 Dec 03 - 08:11 PM Ed McCurdy's "Last Night I had the Srangest Dream" has got to be the most elegant peace song ever. In my humble opinion.... A |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,ebenstevens@hotmail.com Date: 01 Dec 03 - 07:46 PM i do not know the name of the group, or many of the words, but the ending, after the battle: the valley people, after killing the mountain people, turned over the 'stone' to get the treasure: "peace on earth was all it said" i leave the details to someone else. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Uke Date: 26 Nov 03 - 06:33 PM Here's a classic traditional one below that no one's mentioned, from the singing of Sally Sloane called 'My Son Ted', also known as 'Mrs McGrath'. Also, how about songs written by actual soldiers? Does anyone know any 'post-able' ones? There was apparently a WW2 soldier's anti-war parody of Gracie Fields "Bless 'Em All" called "F*** 'em All"... MY SON TED "Oh, Mrs. McGrath," the sergeant said "Would you like to make a soldier out of your son Ted With a scarlett coat and a big red hat Now, Mrs. McGrath, wouldn't you like that?" With a too-ri-ra, fol-the-diddle-da, Ri-fol-the-riddle-dolly-di-do. So, Mrs. McGrath lived on the seashore For a space of seven long years or more Till she saw a big ship sailing into the bay "Here's my son Teddy, wisha clear the way" Chorus "Oh captain dear, wherever you be Have you been sailing on the Mediterranean Or have ye any tidings of my son Ted Is the poor boy living or is he dead?" Chorus Then up comes Ted without any legs And in their place, he has two wooden pegs She kissed him a dozen times or two Saying "Holy Moses, is it you!" Chorus "Oh then were ye drunk or were ye blind That ye left your two fine legs behind Or was it walking upon the sea Wore your two fine legs from the knees?" Chorus "No, I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind When I left my two fine legs behind For a cannon ball on the fifth of May Took my two fine legs from the knees away" Chorus "Oh, then, Teddy my boy," the widow cried "Your two fine legs were your mumma's pride Them stumps of a tree wouldn't do at all Why didn't you run from the big cannon ball?" Chorus "All foreign wars I do proclaim Between Don John and the King of Spain And by heavens I'll make them rue the time That they swept the legs from a child of mine." Chorus Oh, then, if I had you back again, I'd never let you go to fight the King of Spain, For I'd rather have my Ted as he used to be Than the King of France and his whole navy" Chorus |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: s6k Date: 26 Nov 03 - 03:04 PM Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms and i have to say the lyrics to the black eyed peas song where is the love are very clever - just because its commercial doesnt mean it should be ignored :) Brothers In Arms (M.Knopfler) These mist covered mountains Are a home now for me But my home is the lowlands And always will be Some day you'll return to Your valleys and your farms And you'll no longer burn To be brothers in arm Through these fields of destruction Baptism of fire I've watched all your suffering As the battles raged higher And though they did hurt me so bad In the fear and alarm You did not desert me My brothers in arms There's so many different worlds So many different suns And we have just one world But we live in different ones Now the sun's gone to hell And the moon's riding high Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die But it's written in the starlight And every line on your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms Also, my favourite song of all time! |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,guest rod Date: 26 Nov 03 - 01:48 PM Folkies probably won't remember it but there was a song by a soul singer -was it Martha Reeves? about a woman whose son has been killed in Vietnam.She's in the hairdresser when she gets the news - her friends tell her how proud she should be .It's called Should be Proud ,I think : They tell me I should be proud/ They say I should be proud/but my son wasn't fighting for me /he was fighting for the evil of society. Are there any soulsters out there know anything about the song? I agree with all the fine choices on this thread -I'd go along with Jonny I hardly knew you for number one. Burns' Come Ye Jacobites by Name deserves a mention . What makes heroic strife famed afar famed afar?/what makes heroic strife famed afar?/what makes heroic strife to whet the assassins knife/ and hunt the parents life wi' bloody war ,bloody war/ to hunt the parents life wi' bloody war |
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Subject: Lyr Add: CONSEQUENCE (Bob Clayton) From: Songster Bob Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:49 PM A second one, this dates from the first Gulf War. I keep trying to update it, but words fail me: Consequence A madman in desert sun, sand in the gears; Fighting a far-off foe. Why are we here? A small country overrun, the iron heel ground Her people into the dust; darkness came down. A madman in desert sun, sand in the gears; Fighting to free a land, that's why we're here. We're really not welcome here, our ways are too strong. Religions and cultures clash; we can't help but be wrong. A madman in desert sun, sand in the gears; What can be truly gained? Why are we here? Other small countries near, endangered by might. A line must be drawn and held; we must make the fight. A madman in desert sun, sand in the gears; "No passaran," we cry! That's why we're here. It wasn't so long ago, in this wasted land, Another war raged unchecked, and we played a hand. Weapons were bought and sold, or traded for oil. Profits in a prophet's land; the soul for the soil. A madman in desert sun, sand in the gears; We helped make him what he is, that's why we're here. Copyright © 1991, Bob Clayton. All Rights Reserved. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: TOO MUCH FOR OUR WHISTLE (Bob Clayton) From: Songster Bob Date: 25 Nov 03 - 10:46 PM Folks have chimed in with some of their own anti-war songs, so here's one of mine. I tried for memorable and singable: Too Much for Our Whistle Tune: Red River Valley It was Ben Franklin who told it, A tale from when he was a boy. Bright pennies lay there in his pocket When he spotted a wonderful toy. A bright, shiny whistle – he bought it, But his brothers told him with a laugh, "You paid far too much for your whistle; You could have had it for half!" Chorus: Are we paying too much for our whistle? It's a question heard all 'round the earth. Are we paying too much for our whistle? Is it costing far more than it's worth? When you see a car ad on your TV – "No interest, and no money down!" Do you rush right down then and buy one, And drive it all over the town, Where you're joined by all of those others, In long lines just going nowhere? Then think of the words of Ben Franklin, As you gasp for a breath of fresh air. Chorus The president called him, "A monster." The president said, "He's a threat!" And "We've got to invade them to save us" From the weapons we haven't found yet. Our forces used "shock and awe" tactics – We rolled over their army with ease, And took quick control of the oil fields We need to feed our SUVs. Chorus Copyright ©2003 Bob Clayton I have others. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: akenaton Date: 25 Nov 03 - 09:03 PM Eric Bogle is a genius..When I first heard"The band played Waltzing Matilda",sung by June Tabor live,I was in tears,and that doesnt happen often. My favourite??......"All the fine young men"......Eric Bogle |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Susanne (skw) abroad Date: 25 Nov 03 - 05:05 PM Gavin, Seven Good Soldiers was, iirr, written by Scotsman Iain MacDonald - or was it another Mac? Can't look it up before Saturday, but it's been recorded by Dick Gaughan. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Peace Date: 25 Nov 03 - 01:40 PM Shel Silverstein" "Business Goes on as Usual". (At least I think it was his). I learned it from Joe Frazier of the Mitchell Trio in the 1960s. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Big Jim from Jackson Date: 25 Nov 03 - 01:35 PM Have you heard the duo Small Potatoes sing Rich Priezioso's song "A Thousand Candles, A Thousand Cranes"? This is the most gentle and optimistic anti-war song in a long time. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Jacqk Date: 25 Nov 03 - 01:32 PM I was probably wrong for saying songs from south of the border for singer Lila Downs; she has done incredible things with Woody Guthrie songs as well. The album I refer it is caled "Border" or "La Linea". Jack |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Jacqk Date: 25 Nov 03 - 01:25 PM I have a song which hasn't been mentioned yet. Folk-singer/ethinic singer Lila Downs sings traditional songs from south of the US border, and writes her own. This one is haunting, the affects of war. Any errors in transcription are mine. Smoke (Acteal) [Lila Downs, Paul Cohen] Chorus: How dark is the smoke that falls from the sky and soaked in our blood are the feathers of time. How dark is the smoke that falls from the sky And soaked in our blood are the feathers of time. More women and children were killed on that night More than they could count when they threw 'em in trucks Some children were kneeling the saints were all calm Machetes and gunshots reveal all the blood Oh great cave of smoke, oh children of stones What beautiful birth, so short is your [robe] The papers recounted the story we know yet silence is deep as the hundreds of souls And the hundreds of hopes of our people Chorus Now every one's waiting and hoping for justice but will there be goodness where men kill their own? Our wise people say that the mouth of the earth Has swallowed her fruit, but the eagle and snake Will stand for the truth, when the mother of corn has spoken Oh axe of our fire bring justice to life For we know that power was once sacrifice And it was sacrifice and it was sacrifice Of our people. Chorus Copyright © 2001; Narada Productions, Inc. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Henrik W. Date: 09 Jun 03 - 03:07 PM Well, Eric Bogle must be the master - glad to see someone remembered "The Gift of Years". But I am still amazed that no one has mentioned Ewan MacColl's Jamie Foyers about the Spanish Civil War: Far dístant, far distant lies Foyers the brave No tombstone memorial shall hallow his grave His bones they lie scattered on the rude soil of Spain For young Jamie Foyers in battle was slain etc. Henrik W. |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Mark Ross Date: 09 Jun 03 - 02:04 PM Did anyone mention Derrol Adams' PORTLAND TOWN ? Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,banjoman Date: 09 Jun 03 - 01:50 PM Couldn't disagree with any of the choices on this thread. However. I always think Tom Paxton's "Who's Garden was This" has an awful lot to commend it although I,m not sure it was ever meant as an anti war song - more about the after effects of a lot of human actions on this planet. Great thread and it reminded me of a lot of songs I'd forgotten about |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Donuel Date: 09 Jun 03 - 11:19 AM opps, here is the full version not the early draft... The baby's thrilled to walk Her eyes surprised with earthly delight. I melt with pride at her first free flight. On TV Dick Cheney chokes "We'll lose more lives here than those overseas" I believe he speaks of disease. A briefing at work today would make an athiest pray I am but bare brittle bone "Hon, can you put her on the phone?" "Hi sweetie its mommy You don't feel good? You will be just fine" In the age of conquistadors tribes were murdered 9 out of 10 from disease. Now that its real I feel my heart freeze. In sane times only the insane would drown a helpless child. "Sweetie you'll be fine" I pretend Could I watch her agony to the end? Behind lead eyes I keep secret the crime is proven small pox Could I end her torture at all costs? "Baby remember when you walked?" Shhh it'll be fine. Here honey take this, It will help us sleep forever I will be right behind you and not have long to weep, i'll not have long to weep i'll not... Don Hakman 2001 |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Donuel Date: 09 Jun 03 - 10:43 AM Who killed my child The baby's thrilled to walk Her eyes surprised with earthly delight. I melt with pride at her first free flight. On TV Dick Cheney chokes "We'll lose more lives here than those overseas" I believe he speaks of disease. A briefing at work today would make an athiest pray I am but bare brittle bone "Hon, can you put her on the phone?" An age of conquistadors when tribes were murdered 9 out of 10 from disease That cold history, now makes me freeze In sane times the insane mom would drown a helpless child. "Sweetie you're fine" I pretend Could I watch her agony to the end? Behind lead eyes I keep secret If the crime is small pox Could I end her torture at all costs? Baby remember when you walked? Shhh it'll be fine. Here honey take this, It will help us sleep forever I will be right behind you and not have long to weep Don Hakman 2001 |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: GUEST,Gerry McGuinness Date: 09 Jun 03 - 01:17 AM All the above are appropriate, some very moving. What about "Eve of Destruction" from the late sixties, sung by Barry McGuire (?). I recall it was banned by the BBC for a while. The first line was "The Eastern world, it is expoldin'..", then later it went on to say "..you're old enough to kill, but not for votin'..." John Lennon's "Imagine" is another good one. On the lighter side, there is Tom Paxton's "Lyndon Johnstone told the nation", "Willing Conscript", What did you learn in school today, all on his "Aint that News" album. And more recently, "There's a better way" (Niall Toner Band) |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Amergin Date: 08 Jun 03 - 08:27 PM Tom Paxton says that he was brought to tears by a letter a vietnam vet sent to him, telling him that the vet had his own Jimmy Newman...and that the irony was that the previous night they were discussing another one of Paxton's songs.. as for anti war...well there is Jacob's Ladder (Not In MY Name) by Chumbawamba...i really love the line sooner or later puppy dog leader we'll try you for murder.... and there is bogle's As If They Know...about the horses that were sent to world war one...but never came back... and though not really anti war...but anti a unfortunate side effect of the red necked paranoia of war...there is Manzanar...about the Japanese being imprisoned by the State...for being Japanese... |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Seaking Date: 08 Jun 03 - 07:50 PM Paul Simon's 'On the side of a hill' I started playing this again recently as it fitted the mood. On the side of a hill in a land called somewhere A little boy lies asleep in the earth While down in the valley a cruel war rages And people forget what a child's life is worth On the side of a hill a little child weeps And waters the grave with his silent tears While a soldier cleans and polishes his gun that ended a life at the age of seven years And the war rages on in a land called somewhere And generals order their men to kill and to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten while little boy lies on the side of a hill It's a long time since I heard the original but that's what i remember of it. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SEVEN GOOD SOLDIERS From: Gavin Date: 08 Jun 03 - 07:12 PM What a great thread - reminded me of loads of songs I thought I'd forgotten. One not mentioned so far (I think); one special to me - not necessarily cos it's the best - but for a "personal resonance". Don't know whose it is though! Eric Bogle again? SEVEN GOOD SOLDIERS An autumn evening, golds and blues, and the air all around is still. Seven bright stars, they lie beneath seven white crosses on a hill. Seven young men went driving on, into the evening's hue; Ever onwards followed the call, seven roses that never did bloom. Trusting in others their wealth and power, here's to damnation they cheered As a prayer in the leaf of their Bibles black, to a God unseen but well feared. Please don't grieve for me, dear; our mission it soon will end The squaddy's letter it lay by his side, as the bullets they blew out his brain. Seven brothers that lay side by side, united by a bloody long war. Seven good soldiers, seven dead men, none knew what the hell they died for. An autumn evening, golds and blues, and the air all around is still. Seven bright stars, they lie beneath seven white crosses on a hill. All best - Gavin |
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Subject: RE: Greatest Anti-War Song Ever? From: Jeri Date: 08 Jun 03 - 11:18 AM Anna, I'm glad you did submit it - it gets my vote as one of the greatest. So does 'Finlandia', posted by Joe. Sometimes we need to get angry, and sometimes we need to be sad, but hopes and dreams are also needed to make change possible. Also, 'Recessional' by Kipling/Bellamy. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: LAST NIGHT I HAD THE STRANGEST DREAM From: annamill Date: 08 Jun 03 - 10:32 AM Bill Sables was singing "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" the first time I heard it and cried. Big Mick was singing "There Were Roses" the first time I heard it and cried. I hesitate to submit this entry, but the first time I heard it I cried. I have never forgotten it. It is simple, yet powerful. To me at least.
LAST NIGHT I HAD THE STRANGEST DREAM
Last night I had the strangest dream I'd ever dreamed before.
And when the paper was all signed, and a million copies made,
Last night I had the strangest dream, I'd ever dreamed before. *
When I awoke, 'twas but a dream, and peace a dirty word. * "Last Night I Had a Happy Dream" was given a new lease, when Ed McCurdy rewrote it as a peace song. The last verse was added by Linda Hirschorn. Love, Annamill |
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