Songs Against Wars - Part 2

Vesa Matteo PiluduHelsinki

Department of Comparative Religion

University of Helsinki

The Vietnam War in Songs 1

"Songs" in The Vietnam War in American Stories, Songs, and Poems, edited by H. Bruce Franklin (Bedford-St. Martin's, 1996): 201-218.

"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?“ PETER, PAUL & MARY (1962) "Masters of War" BOB DYLAN (1963) "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues" BOB DYLAN (1963; commercial

release, 1991)

"Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" PETE SEEGER (1963) "The Times They Are A-Changin'“ BOB DYLAN (1964) "MLF Lullaby“ and "Send the Marines“ from TOM LEHRER's That

Was The Year That Was (1965) "Eve of Destruction" BARRY McGUIRE (1965)

The Vietnam War in Songs 2

"I-Feel-Like-I'm-a-Fixin'-to-Die Rag” COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH (1965)

"Draft Dodger Rag” PHIL OCHS (1965) "I Ain't Marching Anymore” PHIL OCHS (1965) "Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation" TOM PAXTON (1965) "Viet Nam Blues" DAVE DUDLEY (1965) "I Told Them What You're Fighting For" MAYBELLE CARTER (1966) "Ballad of the Green Berets" STAFF SERGEANT BARRY SADLER

(1966)

"Ballad of the Fort Hood Three" PETE SEEGER (1966) "Bring 'Em Home" PETE SEEGER (1966)

The Vietnam War in Songs 3

"7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" SIMON & GARFUNKEL (1966) "Alice's Restaurant” ARLO GUTHRIE (1967) "The Story of Isaac" LEONARD COHEN (1967) "For What It's Worth" THE BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD (1967) "Sky Pilot" ERIC BURDON & THE ANIMALS (1968)

"The Unknown Soldier"THE DOORS (1968) "War Is Over" PHIL OCHS (1968) "Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues" TOM PAXTON (1968) "Fortunate Son" CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (1969) "Okie from Muskogee" MERLE HAGGARD (1969) "Give Peace a Chance" JOHN LENNON (1969) "The Fiddle and the Drum” JONI MITCHELL (1969) "Run Through the Jungle" CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

(1970) "Ohio" CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG (1970) "War" EDWIN STARR (1970)

The Vietnam War in Songs 4

"Ball of Confusion“ THE TEMPTATIONS (1970) "What's Going On?“ MARVIN GAYE (1971) "Bring the Boys Home“FREDA PAYNE (1971) "Sam Stone" JOHN PRINE (1971) "Still in Saigon" THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND (1981) "Goodnight Saigon“ BILLY JOEL (1981) "Born in the USA“ BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (1984) "19" PAUL HARDCASTLE (1985) "The Big Parade" 10,000 MANIACS (1989) "There's a Wall in Washington" IRIS DeMENT (1996)

War by Edwin Starr (Original Video - 1969)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk&feature=related

War...huh...yeahWhat is it good for?Absolutely nothing

WAR! I despise,'cos it means destruction of innocent lives,War means tears to thousands of mother's eyes,When their sons gone to fight and lose their lives.

WAR! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker,War. Friend only to the undertaker.Ohhh! War is an enemy to all mankind,The thought of war blows my mind.War has caused unrest within the younger generationInduction then destruction...who wants to die? Ohhh

"War" by Edwin Starr

WAR! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker,War! It's got one friend that's the undertaker.Ohhhh! War has shattered many a young man's dream,Made him disabled, bitter and mean,

Life is much too short and precious to spend fighting wars these days.War can't give life, it can only take it away!

War! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker,War. Friend only to the undertaker...wooPeace lovin' understand then tell me,Is there no place for them today?They say we must fight to keep our freedom,But Lord knows there's got to be a better way.

Marvin Gaye "What's Going On / What's Happening Brother”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s&feature=related

Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SboRijhWFDU&feature=related

Look what's happening out in the streetsGot a revolution Got to revolutionHey I'm dancing down the streetsGot a revolution Got to revolutionAin't it amazing all the people I meetGot a revolution Got to revolutionOne generation got oldOne generation got soulThis generation got no destination to holdPick up the cryHey now it's time for you and meGot a revolution Got to revolutionCome on now we're marching to the seaGot a revolution Got to revolutionWho will take it from youWe will and who are weWe are volunteers of America

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7WtVJSJQaM&feature=fvw

Some folks are born to wave the flag Ooh they're red white and blue.And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"Ooh they point the cannon at you LordIt ain't me, it ain't me I ain't no senator's son sonIt ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one no

Some folks are born silver spoon in handLord don't they help themselves ohBut when the tax man comes to the doorLord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, noIt ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no

Some folks inherit star spangled eyesOoh, they send you down to war, LordAnd when you ask them, "How much should we give?"Ooh, they only answer more! more! more!

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son

Springsteen - The Ghost Of Tom Joad (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUbtt92CtLQ

Ironic reference to President George H.W. Bush’s New world order:

Welcome to the new world order

Families sleepin' in their cars in the southwest

No home no job no peace no rest

Tom Joad is a fictional character in John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath

Leonard Cohen: Democracy

Leonard Cohen: Democracy (spoken) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbqM9R8g7rU

Democracy - Leonard Cohen (song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3lOFECr8-s

It's coming through a hole in the air,from those nights in Tiananmen SquareIt's coming from the feelthat this ain't exactly real,or it's real, but it ain't exactly there.From the wars against disorder,from the sirens night and day,from the fires of the homeless,from the ashes of the gay:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Leonard Cohen: Democracy

It's coming through a crack in the wall;on a visionary flood of alcohol;from the staggering accountof the Sermon on the Mountwhich I don't pretend to understand at all.It's coming from the silenceon the dock of the bay,from the brave, the bold, the batteredheart of Chevrolet:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the sorrow in the street,the holy places where the races meet;from the homicidal bitchin'that goes down in every kitchento determine who will serve and who will eat.From the wells of disappointmentwhere the women kneel to prayfor the grace of God in the desert hereand the desert far away:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Leonard Cohen: Democracy

Sail on, sail onO mighty Ship of State!To the Shores of NeedPast the Reefs of GreedThrough the Squalls of HateSail on, sail on, sail on, sail on.

It's coming to America first,the cradle of the best and of the worst.It's here they got the rangeand the machinery for changeand it's here they got the spiritual thirst.It's here the family's brokenand it's here the lonely saythat the heart has got to openin a fundamental way:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Leonard Cohen: Democracy

It's coming from the women and the men.O baby, we'll be making love again.We'll be going down so deepthe river's going to weep,and the mountain's going to shout Amen!It's coming like the tidal floodbeneath the lunar sway,imperial, mysterious,in amorous array:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.Sail on, sail on ...I'm sentimental, if you know what I meanI love the country but I can't stand the scene.And I'm neither left or rightI'm just staying home tonight,getting lost in that hopeless little screen.But I'm stubborn as those garbage bagsthat Time cannot decay,I'm junk but I'm still holding up this little wild bouquet:Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Miss Sarajevo - George Michael (U2)Album: Songs From The Last Century (1999)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4sNvTdGU2U

Black Sabbath — War Pigs 1970

Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses

Evil minds that plot destruction Sorcerers of death's construction In the fields the bodies burning As the war machine keeps turning

Death and hatred to mankind Poisoning their brainwashed minds Oh lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away They only started the war Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqy4DTHGqg

Time will tell on their power minds Making war just for fun Treating people just like pawns in chess

Wait 'til their judgement day comes Yeah!

Now in darkness world stops turning Ashes where the bodies burning

No more war pigs have the power Hand of God has struck the hour Day of judgement, God is calling On their knees the war pig's crawling Begging mercy for their sins Satan laughing spreads his wings Oh lord yeah!

Iron Maiden - Run to the Hills, 1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJbjrmBEgw8

Pro-Native Poin of view:

White man came across the seaHe brought us pain and miseryHe killed our tribes, he killed our creedHe took our game for his own need

We fought him hard we fought him wellOut on the plains we gave him hellBut many came too much for CreeOh will we ever be set free?

Riding through dust clouds and barren wastesGalloping hard on the plainsChasing the redskins back to their holesFighting them at their own gameMurder for freedom a stab in the backWomen and children the cowards attack

Soldier blue on the barren wastesHunting and killing their gameRaping the women and wasting the menThe only good Indians are tameSelling them whiskey and taking their goldEnslaving the young and destroying the old

Run to the hills,run for your lives.Run to the hills,run for your lives.

Metallica – OneAlbum: …And Justice for all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzgGTTtR0kc

References:

Dalton Trumbo's 1939 novel Johnny Got His Gun.

Tale of a soldier whose body is severely damaged after he is hit by German artillery during World War I

1971 film adaptation

now the world is gone I'm just one oh God, help me hold my breath as I wish for death

darkness imprisoning me all that I see absolute horror I cannot live I cannot die trapped in myself body my holding cell

landmine has taken my sight taken my speech taken my hearing taken my arms taken my legs taken my soul left me with life in hell

Metallica - For Whom the Bell Tolls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX-KjkdDozQ&feature=related

Make his fight on the hill in the early dayConstant chill deep insideShouting gun, on they run through the endless grayOn they fight, for they are right, yes, but who's to say?For a hill, men would kill. Why? They do not know(…)

For whom the bell tollsTime marches onFor whom the bell tolls

The video contains video clips from "Cliff 'em All" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943 film based on the novel by Ernest Hemmingway). Instrument timings may be off because Metallica played at a higher tempo live than their original track.

Take a look to the sky just before you dieIt's the last time you willBlackened roar, massive roar, fills the crumbling skyShattered goal fills his soul with a ruthless cryStranger now are his eyes to this mysteryHe hears the silence so loudCrack of dawn, all is gone except the will to beNow they see what will be, blinded eyes to see

Metallica - Master Of Puppets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z-hEyVQDRA

Come crawling fasterObey your MasterYour life burns fasterObey your MasterMaster

Master of Puppets I'm pulling your stringsTwisting your mind, smashing your dreams

Blinded by me, you can't see a thingJust call my name, 'cause I'll hear you screamMaster

Metallica - The Day That Never Comes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYBtn4CwjMc&feature=fvst

Mouth so full of liesTend to black your eyesJust keep them closedKeep prayingJust keep waiting

Waiting for the oneThe day that never comesWhen you stand upAnd feel the warmthBut the sunshine never comes, noNo the sunshine never comes

Love is a four letter wordAnd never spoken hereLove is a four letter wordHere in the prison

I suffer this no longerI'll put an end to This I swearThis I swearThe sun will shineThis I swearThis I swearThis I swear

Bruce Springsteen Bring Them Home (P. Seeger)San Francisco 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yApAg0hl490&feature=related

If you love your Uncle Sam,Bring them home, bring them home.Support our boys in Vietnam,Bring them home, bring them home.

It'll make our generals sad, I know,Bring them home, bring them home.They want to tangle with the foe,Bring them home, bring them home.