Watching PBS the other night, they had a folk music concert with many of the greats of the early 60's. (My gawd have I gotten old, and I was a kid when these songs came out).
The one that really got to me was Eve of Destruction sung by Barry McGuire. He changed a couple verses to be contemporary in reference to Columbine, Colorado, but the song is as contemporary today with the war in the Middle East as it was 35 years ago about Nam. Even though a few things have changed, like the voting age, supposed racial and sexual equality. But the sentiment is surely the same, and scary.
Peace
Brenda
EVE OF DESTRUCTION
Barry McGuire
Schreib?r Sloan
The eastern world it tis explodin',
violence flarin', bullets loadin',
you're old enough to kill but not for votin',
you don't believe in war, what's that gun you're totin',
and even the Jordan river has bodies floatin',
but you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Don't you understand, what I'm trying to say?
Can't you see the fear that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away,
There'll be noone to save with the world in a grave,
take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy,
but you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin',
I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin',
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
handful of Senators don't pass legislation,
and marches alone can't bring integration,
when human respect is disintegratin',
this whole crazy world is just too frustratin',
and you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China!
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama! (Columbine, Colorado)
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space, (Six)
but when you return, it's the same old place,
the poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
you can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace,
hate your next-door-neighbour, but don't forget to say grace,
and you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
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