Antiwar Songs

[Jacob Kramer]

What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:

Bob Dylan, "Masters of War"

Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

--

Jacob Kramer

[Lionel]

Jacob Kramer wrote:
> What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:

This is mine. Written the march, 7th 1954 the day of the final fall of
Dien Bien Phu french fortified camp. This song has been interpreted by
Peter, Paul & Mary.
(There is a possible English translation after the French text)

Le déserteur (Boris Vian)

Monsieur le président
Je vous fais une lettre
Que vous lirez peut-être
Si vous avez le temps
Je viens de recevoir
Mes papiers militaires
Pour partir à la guerre
Avant mercredi soir
Monsieur le président
Je ne veux pas la faire
Je ne suis pas sur terre
Pour tuer de pauvres gens
C'est pas pour vous fâcher
Il faut que je vous dise
Ma décision est prise
Je m'en vais déserter

Depuis que je suis né
J'ai vu mourir mon père
J'ai vu partir mes frères
Et pleurer mes enfants
Ma mère a tant souffert
Qu'elle est dedans sa tombe
Et se moque des bombes
Et se moque des vers
Quand j'étais prisonnier
On m'a volé ma femme
On m'a volé mon âme
Et tout mon cher passé
Demain de bon matin
Je fermerai ma porte
Au nez des années mortes
J'irai sur les chemins

Je mendierai ma vie
Sur les routes de France
De Bretagne en Provence
Et je crierai aux gens
Refusez d'obéir
Refusez de la faire
N'allez pas à la guerre
Refusez de partir
S'il faut donner son sang
Allez donner le vôtre
Vous êtes bon apôtre
Monsieur le président
Si vous me poursuivez
Prévenez vos gendarmes
Que je n'aurai pas d'arme
Et qu'ils pourront tirer

-------------------------

In full awareness,
Dear President,
I am writing you this letter,
which I hope you will read.
The draft card here
plainly tells me that
I have to go make war
this coming Monday.
However, I am not here,
Dear President,
to kill people
more or less like me.
I am not annoyed with you,
by the way,
but I feel I have decided
and I will desert.

I only had trouble
since I was born
and the children I brought up
have cried with me.
My mom and my dad
are buried now
and about the war
they won't give a damn.
When I was a prisoner
someone stole
my wife and my past,
my best age.
Tomorrow I am going to get up
I am going to close the door
on the dead season
and set off.

I'll live on charity
on the streets of Spain,
of France and Britain
and I'll call on everyone
not to leave anymore
and not to obey
just to end up dead
for no matter who.
Therefore if you need
blood at all costs,
go give yours,
if this amuses you.
And, please, tell your men,
if they come for me,
that they can shoot at me,
weapons ... I don't have.

[Bruce J. Richman]

George M. Middius wrote:


>Jacob Kramer said:
>
>> What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
>
>Waist Deep In The Big Muddy
>by Pete Seeger (1963)
>
>It was back in nineteen forty-two,
>I was a member of a good platoon.
>We were on maneuvers in-a Loozianna,
>One night by the light of the moon.
>The captain told us to ford a river,
>That's how it all begun.
>We were -- knee deep in the Big Muddy,
>But the big fool said to push on.
>
>The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure,
>This is the best way back to the base?"
>"Sergeant, go on! I forded this river
>'Bout a mile above this place.
>It'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging.
>We'll soon be on dry ground."
>We were -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
>And the big fool said to push on.
>
>The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment
>No man will be able to swim."
>"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nellie,"
>The Captain said to him.
>"All we need is a little determination;
>Men, follow me, I'll lead on."
>We were -- neck deep in the Big Muddy
>And the big fool said to push on.
>
>All at once, the moon clouded over,
>We heard a gurgling cry.
>A few seconds later, the captain's helmet
>Was all that floated by.
>The Sergeant said, "Turn around men!
>I'm in charge from now on."
>And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
>With the captain dead and gone.
>
>We stripped and dived and found his body
>Stuck in the old quicksand.
>I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
>Than the place he'd once before been.
>Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
>'Bout a half mile from where we'd gone.
>We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
>When the big fool said to push on.
>
>Well, I'm not going to point any moral;
>I'll leave that for yourself
>Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking
>You'd like to keep your health.
>But every time I read the papers
>That old feeling comes on;
>We're -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
>And the big fool says to push on.
>
>Waist deep in the Big Muddy
>And the big fool says to push on.
>Waist deep in the Big Muddy
>And the big fool says to push on.
>Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
>Tall man'll be over his head, we're
>Waist deep in the Big Muddy!
>And the big fool says to push on!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Pete Seeger is truly one of America's great singer/songwriters. His recordings
occupy an important spot in my collection. I had the pleasure of seeing him in
concert several times quite a few years ago. Of course, he made his original
mark as a member of the Almanac Singers, and then was the lead vocalist in the
great folk group, The Weavers.



Bruce J. Richman

[Bruce J. Richman]

Jacob Kramer wrote:


>> What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
>

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye: (Traditional , pre-1600)

(Often sung by Irish folk groups such as the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem)

While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
While goin' the road to sweet Athy,
A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye,
A doleful damsel I heard cry,
Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Chorus:
With your guns and drums and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo
With your guns and drums and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo
With your guns and drums and drums and guns,
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh my darling dear, Ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Where are the eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo
Where are the eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo
Where are the eyes that were so mild,
When my heart you so beguiled
Why did ye sci-daddle from me and the child
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye

Where are the legs with which you run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
When first you went to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye

Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg,
Ye're an armless, boneless, chickenless egg
Ye'll have to put with a bowl out to beg
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye

I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
I'm happy for to see ye home,
All from the island of Ceylon;
So low in the flesh, so high in the bone
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye

Last chorus:
....the enemy never slew ye
Oh, my darling dear you look so queer



Bruce J. Richman

[Bruce J. Richman]

Here's another great anitwar song:

I Ain't Marchin' Anymore (Phil Ochs)

Oh, I marched to the Battle of New Orleans
At the end of the early British war,
A young land started growin',
the young blood started flowin',
But I ain't marchin' anymore.

For I killed my share of Injuns in a thousand different fights,
I was there at the Little Big Horn;
I heard many men a-lyin',
I saw many more a-dyin',
And I ain't a marchin' anymore.

For I stole California from the Mexican land,
Fought in the bloody Civil War,
Yes, I even killed my brothers,
And so many others,
But I ain't marchin' anymore.

For I marched to the battles of the German trench
In a war that was bound to end all wars;
I must have killed a million men
And now they want me back again,
But I ain't marchin' anymore.

For I flew the final mission in the Japanese skies,
Sat off a mighty mushroom roar,
When I saw the cities burnin',
I knew that I was learnin'
That I ain't marchin' anymore.

Now the labor leader's screamin' when they close the missile plants,
United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore,
Call it "Peace" or call it "Treason",
Call it "Love" or call it "Reason,"
But I ain't marchin' anymore.

Copyright 1964 by Appleseed Music Inc.






Bruce J. Richman

[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
> What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:

no question about it
"Alice's Restaurant"
Arlo Guthrie




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[Bruce J. Richman]

Mr. Sackman wrote:


>"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
>> What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
>
>no question about it
>"Alice's Restaurant"
> Arlo Guthrie
>
>
>
>
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>
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>
>
>

Agreed. And one of the few songs that served as the basis of a movie. One of
my favorite LPs (to listen to once in a while). The part about the visit to
the shrink is very funny, as is the story about his "crime" of littering.

Arlo has done a nice job of carrying on his famous father's legacy.

For a couple of excellent live concert folk albums, try:

PETE SEEGER & ARLO GUTHRIE - Together In Concert (Reprise 2R 2214)

and

ARLO GUTHRIE & PETE SEEGER - Precious Friend (Warner Bros. BSK 3644)



Bruce J. Richman

[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"George M. Middius" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Sockpuppet Yustabe said:
>
> > > What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
> >
> > no question about it
> > "Alice's Restaurant"
> > Arlo Guthrie
>
>
> That's social satire, not an antiwar song. You win February's
> obtuseness prize.
>

Satire is one of the most effective forms of criticism.




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[Sandman]

"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
> What are your favorite antiwar songs?

Here 'ya go:

http://www.zmag.org/songs/songarchive.htm

[Sandman]

"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
> What are your favorite antiwar songs?

And here's something more up-to-date:

http://www.madkane.com/antiwar_humor.html

[Jacob Kramer]

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 03:06:00 -0500, "Sockpuppet Yustabe"
> wrote:

>
>"George M. Middius" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>
>> Sockpuppet Yustabe said:
>>
>> > > What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
>> >
>> > no question about it
>> > "Alice's Restaurant"
>> > Arlo Guthrie
>>
>>
>> That's social satire, not an antiwar song. You win February's
>> obtuseness prize.
>>
>
>Satire is one of the most effective forms of criticism.

Well it didn't seem to persuade you.

--

Jacob Kramer

[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"George M. Middius" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Sockpuppet Yustabe said:
>
> > > > > What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
> > > >
> > > > no question about it
> > > > "Alice's Restaurant"
> > > > Arlo Guthrie
> > >
> > >
> > > That's social satire, not an antiwar song. You win February's
> > > obtuseness prize.
> > >
> >
> > Satire is one of the most effective forms of criticism.
>
> Thank you for admitting you don't know what you're talking about.
>
I am sorry that I am not as pompous and somber as you want me to be.




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[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 03:06:00 -0500, "Sockpuppet Yustabe"
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >"George M. Middius" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >>
> >> Sockpuppet Yustabe said:
> >>
> >> > > What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
> >> >
> >> > no question about it
> >> > "Alice's Restaurant"
> >> > Arlo Guthrie
> >>
> >>
> >> That's social satire, not an antiwar song. You win February's
> >> obtuseness prize.
> >>
> >
> >Satire is one of the most effective forms of criticism.
>
> Well it didn't seem to persuade you.
>

Its a bad world filled with eveil people doing nasty things.
Soemtimes war is needed for protection from
those *******s. It would be a better world if it were not so,
but that's the way it is. Human Nature.




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[Bruce J. Richman]

Art Sackman wrote:


>"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
...
>> On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 03:06:00 -0500, "Sockpuppet Yustabe"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"George M. Middius" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Sockpuppet Yustabe said:
>> >>
>> >> > > What are your favorite antiwar songs? Here's one of mine:
>> >> >
>> >> > no question about it
>> >> > "Alice's Restaurant"
>> >> > Arlo Guthrie
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> That's social satire, not an antiwar song. You win February's
>> >> obtuseness prize.
>> >>
>> >
>> >Satire is one of the most effective forms of criticism.
>>
>> Well it didn't seem to persuade you.
>>
>
>Its a bad world filled with eveil people doing nasty things.
>Soemtimes war is needed for protection from
>those *******s. It would be a better world if it were not so,
>but that's the way it is. Human Nature.
>
>
>
>

Agreed. Unfortunately, such is the case. When negotations and/or compromises
fail or worse yet, cannot even take place, , it is sometimes necessary to
resort to more drastic measures for the greater good.


(In some respects, RAO exhibits the same phenomenon, only the wars are verbal
:) ).







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>
>
>
>
>
>


Bruce J. Richman

[Lionel]

Sockpuppet Yustabe wrote:

> Its a bad world filled with eveil people doing nasty things.
> Soemtimes war is needed for protection from
> those *******s. It would be a better world if it were not so,
> but that's the way it is. Human Nature.

An other explanation is that the "*******s" spontaneous apparition is
proportional and coinciding with cowards and morons renouncement.
Human Nature...

[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"Lionel" > wrote in message
...
> Sockpuppet Yustabe wrote:
>
> > Its a bad world filled with eveil people doing nasty things.
> > Soemtimes war is needed for protection from
> > those *******s. It would be a better world if it were not so,
> > but that's the way it is. Human Nature.
>
> An other explanation is that the "*******s" spontaneous apparition is
> proportional and coinciding with cowards and morons renouncement.
> Human Nature...

Pinch me, I must be dreaming about all these bad people....




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[Lionel]

Sockpuppet Yustabe wrote:
> "Lionel" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Sockpuppet Yustabe wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Its a bad world filled with eveil people doing nasty things.
>>>Soemtimes war is needed for protection from
>>>those *******s. It would be a better world if it were not so,
>>>but that's the way it is. Human Nature.
>>
>>An other explanation is that the "*******s" spontaneous apparition is
>>proportional and coinciding with cowards and morons renouncement.
>>Human Nature...
>
>
> Pinch me, I must be dreaming about all these bad people....

Don't need to pinch you, just watch in a mirror and see your uggly face.

[Jacob Kramer]

"Sandman" > wrote in message >...
> "Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > What are your favorite antiwar songs?
>
> And here's something more up-to-date:
>
> http://www.madkane.com/antiwar_humor.html

How about picking one and posting the lyrics here?

Here's a song that I didn't realize was something of an antiwar song
until I found the lyrics on the Internet (being that it's impossible
to decipher them from the song itself):

"Sway," The Rolling Stones

Did you ever wake up to find
A day that broke up your mind
Destroyed your notion of circular time

It's just that demon life has got you in its sway
It's just that demon life has got you in its sway

Ain't flinging tears out on the dusty ground
For all my friends out on the burial ground
Can't stand the feeling getting so brought down

It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

There must be ways to find out
Love is the way they say is really strutting out

Hey, hey, hey now
One day I woke up to find
Right in the bed next to mine
Someone that broke me up with a corner of her smile, yeah

It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
It's just that demon life has got me in its sway

It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
It's just that demon life has got me...

It's just that demon life has got me...

[Sockpuppet Yustabe]

"Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
> "Sandman" > wrote in message
>...
> > "Jacob Kramer" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > What are your favorite antiwar songs?
> >
> > And here's something more up-to-date:
> >
> > http://www.madkane.com/antiwar_humor.html
>
> How about picking one and posting the lyrics here?
>
> Here's a song that I didn't realize was something of an antiwar song
> until I found the lyrics on the Internet (being that it's impossible
> to decipher them from the song itself):
>
> "Sway," The Rolling Stones
>
> Did you ever wake up to find
> A day that broke up your mind
> Destroyed your notion of circular time
>
> It's just that demon life has got you in its sway
> It's just that demon life has got you in its sway
>
> Ain't flinging tears out on the dusty ground
> For all my friends out on the burial ground
> Can't stand the feeling getting so brought down
>
> It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
> It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
>
> There must be ways to find out
> Love is the way they say is really strutting out
>
> Hey, hey, hey now
> One day I woke up to find
> Right in the bed next to mine
> Someone that broke me up with a corner of her smile, yeah
>
> It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
> It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
>
> It's just that demon life has got me in its sway
> It's just that demon life has got me...
>
> It's just that demon life has got me...


Another example of "California Dreaming".




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