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[personal profile] livingdeb
"Those kids these days, ..." We are so lucky to have them. I bet they have protest songs, but I haven't kept up with the times. Here are some ancient ones that I like. Just move along if you don't want to cry.


"American Woman" - Guess Who
(I can't find a better recording of this short version, which is the version I like.)

Disillusionment with the US that's so strong they are leaving the country.

I don't need your war machine.
I don't need your ghetto scene.
Colored lights can hypnotize:
Sparkle someone else's eyes.



"Ohio" - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

The incident at Kent State University where the National Guard shot at student protesters.

What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?



"Indian Reservation" (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Paul Revere and the Raiders

Against colonization.

They took the whole Cherokee Nation,
Put us on this reservation.
Took away our ways of life,
The tomahawk and the bow and knife.
Took away our native tongue,
Taught their English to our young.



For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield

We need to listen to each other.

Young people speaking their mind
Are getting so much resistance from behind.
It's time we stop. Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down.



Johnny Half-Breed - Peter La Farge

On racism and diversity.

Johnny started searching until he tracked the child.
Carried her in his half-breed arms out of the forest wild.
He was a hero for a day. They asked him to remain.
They said they learned their lesson, that all people are the same.

(Missing the whole point--people aren't the same, and that's a good thing.)


"Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" - Pete Seeger (Richard Shindell's version)

When powerful people ignore facts right in front of them even when making decisions that affect many.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure
This is the way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, I once crossed this river
Not a mile above this place.
It'll be a little bit soggy but we'll keep on slogging.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were waist-deep in the Big Muddy
And the damn fool kept yelling, "Push on."



"Everybody's Crying Mercy" - Bonnie Raitt

About crazy hypocrisy. Things are even worse now; I never hear the word mercy anymore.

I don't believe the things I'm seeing.
I've been wondering about some things I've heard.
Everybody's crying mercy
When they don't know the meaning of the word.


Peace Train - Cat Stevens

And on an optimistic note: peace is possible.

Oh, I've been smiling lately,
Dreaming about the world as one.
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come.


Do you have any favorite protest songs you would like to share during these trying times?

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