THE Songs That Crysatlize The Times We Are Living In

[TheWatcher]

It has often been said that the world and the times we live in can be crystalized by the music we listen to.

Then there are the songs that define the times we are living in even though they were written years before.

I know many of you can think of such songs, and I'd be interested in hearing what songs you feel eerily reflect the times we are living in, as though they were written today, even though they were written years ago.

I gave it a lot of thought tonight, and I think I found not one but two that fit perfectly.

Praying for Time

George Michael

These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around now
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers

This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses

The rich declare themselves poor
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we’ll take our chances
‘Cause God’s stopped keeping score
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back and all God’s children
Crept out the back door

And it’s hard to love, there’s so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it’s much too much too late
Well maybe we should all be praying for time

These are the days of the empty hand
Oh you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year

This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here

So you scream from behind your door
Say what’s mine is mine and not yours
I may have too much but I’ll take my chances
‘Cause God’s stopped keeping score
And you cling to the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That he can’t come back
‘Cause he has no children to come back for

It’s hard to love there’s so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it’s much too late
So maybe we should all be praying for time


And this one.....


RUSH

A Farewell to Kings

When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow?
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance

Cities full of hatred, fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and
Scoffing at the wise

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Can't we learn to feel what's right
And what's wrong?
What's wrong?

Cities full of hatred, fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and
Scoffing at the wise

Can't we raise our eyes and make a start?
Can't we find the minds to lead us
Closer to the Heart?



Chilling Hymns For Us All.....

[Capt_Nemo]

1. "Wake up" by Rage Against the Machine

Wake Up

Although ya try to discredit
Ya still never edit
The needle, I'll thread it
Radically poetic
Standin' with the fury that they had in '66
And like E-Double, I'm mad
Still knee-deep in the system's shit
Hoover, he was a body remover
I'll give ya a dose
But it'll never come close
To the rage built up inside of me
Fist in the air, in the land of hypocrisy

Movements come and movements go
Leaders speak, movements cease
When theirheads are flown
'Cause all these punks
Got bullets in their heads
Department of police, the judges, the feds
Networks at work, keepin' people calm

You know they went after King
When he spoke out on Vietnam
He turned the power to the have-nots
And then came the shot

Wit' poetry, my mind I flex
Flip like Wilson, vocals never lackin' dat finesse
Whadda I have to do to wake you up
To shake you up, to break the structure up
'Cause this blood still floods in the gutter
I'm like takin' photos
Mad boy kicks open the shutter
Set the groove
Then I stick and move like I was Cassius
Rep the stutter step
Then bomb a left upon the fascists
Yea, the several federal men
Who pulled schemes on the dream
And put it to an end

Ya better beware
Of retribution with mind war
20/20 visions and murals with metaphors

The networks at work, keepin' people calm
Ya know they murdered X
And tried to blame it on Islam
He turned the power to the have-nots
And then came the shot

What was the price on his head?

[TheWatcher]

3. Rage Really Speaks to Me

They have written some VERY powerful songs, and it would be hard to chose one that defines our times because there are so many of theirs that do. You picked a good one.

Sitng worte a song on his last album that was a scathing indictment of the War.....

Sting

This War

You've got the mouth of a she wolf
Inside the mask of an innocent lamb
You say your heart is all compassion
But there's just a flat line on your cardiogram

Yet you always made a profit baby
If it was a famine or a feast

Yes, I'm the soul of indiscretion,
I was cursed with x-ray vision,
I could see right through all the lies you told,
When you smiled for the television

And you can see the coming battle
You pray the drums will never cease
And you may win this war that's coming
But would you tolerate the peace?

Investing in munitions
And those little cotton flags
Invest in wooden caskets
In guns and body bags, guns and body bags

Your daddy was a businessman
And it always made good sense
You know the war can make you rich my friend
In dollars, pounds and cents

In the temple that was Mammon's
You were ordained the parish priest
Yes you may win this coming battle
But could you tolerate the peace?

Invest in deadly weapons
And those little cotton flags
Invest in wooden caskets
In guns and body bags
You're invested in oppression
Investing in corruption
Invest in every tyranny
And the whole world's destruction

I imagine there's a future
When all the earthly wars are over
You may find yourself just standing there
On the white cliffs of Dover

You may ask, what does it profit a man
To gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?
Is that your body you see on the rocks below
As the tide begins to roll?

And you invested in this prison
From which you never got released
You may have won this war we're fighting
But would you tolerate the peace?

There's a war on our democracy
A war on our dissent
There's a war inside religion
And what Jesus might have meant

There's a war on mother nature
A war upon the seas
There's a war upon the forests
On the birds and the bees

There's a war on education
A war on information
A war between the sexes
And every nation

A war on our compassion
A war on understanding
A war on love and life itself
It's war that they're demanding

Make it easy on yourself
And don't do nothing

[Guava Jelly]

2. Here is one that really speaks to allthe injustice

A revolution is Comming Via (monte Python)

I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.
I sleep all night. I work all day.

Mounties : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.


Mounties: He cuts down trees. He eats his lunch.
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping
And has buttered scones for tea.

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I skip and jump.
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars.

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He skips and jumps.
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing
And hangs around in bars?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I wear high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie,
Just like my dear Mama (or Papa in later versions)


Mounties : He cuts down trees. He wears high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

Yes, I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) ok-a-y.
I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

[ET Awful]

4. Lives in the Balance - Jackson Browne

I like Richie Haven's recording of it A LOT better, but I have to give credit to the original . . .



I've been waiting for something to happen
For a week or a month or a year
With the blood in the ink of the headlines
And the sound of the crowd in my ear
You might ask what it takes to remember
When you know that you've seen it before
Where a government lies to a people
And a country is drifting to war

And there's a shadow on the faces
Of the men who send the guns
To the wars that are fought in places
Where their business interest runs

On the radio talk shows and the T.V.
You hear one thing again and again
How the U.S.A. stands for freedom
And we come to the aid of a friend
But who are the ones that we call our friends--
These governments killing their own?
Or the people who finally can't take any more
And they pick up a gun or a brick or a stone
There are lives in the balance
There are people under fire
There are children at the cannons
And there is blood on the wire


There's a shadow on the faces
Of the men who fan the flames
Of the wars that are fought in places
Where we can't even say the names


They sell us the President the same way
They sell us our clothes and our cars
They sell us every thing from youth to religion
The same time they sell us our wars
I want to know who the men in the shadows are
I want to hear somebody asking them why
They can be counted on to tell us who our enemies are
But they're never the ones to fight or to die
And there are lives in the balance
There are people under fire
There are children at the cannons
And there is blood on the wire

[No Mandate Here.]

5. Steppenwolf "Monster" is getting a LOT of play at my house

by John Kay
Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of Kingdom and pope

Like good Christians some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands, to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And till the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end

While we bullied, stole and bought a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The Blue and Grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war was over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
Now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told

Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin'

The cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole world's got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner we can't pay the cost

'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin'

America, where are you now
Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

America, where are you now
Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

[soup]

8. Yep.

Excellent choice. It was one of the first songs I thought of when I saw the title thread.

1970. whew - and just as valid today.

soup
who has the original album in her collection and prays the track that comes after (Draft Resister) will not regain any relevence.

[Quahog]

6. This one keeps running through my head

HERE COMES PRESIDENT KILL AGAIN (XTC)

Here comes president kill again,
Surrounded by all of his killing men.
Telling us who, why, where and when,
President kill wants killing again.

Hooray, ring out the bells,
King conscience is dead.
Hooray, now back in your cells,
We’ve president kill instead.

Here comes president kill again.
Broadcasting from his killing den.
Dressed in pounds and dollars and yen,
President kill wants killing again.

Hooray, hang out the flags,
Queen caring is dead.
Hooray, we’ll stack body bags,
For president kill instead.

Ain’t democracy wonderful?
Them Russians can’t win!
Ain’t democracy wonderful?
Lets us vote someone like that in.

Here comes president kill again,
From pure white house to number 10.
Taking lives with a smoking pen,
President kill wants killing again.

Hooray, everything’s great,
Now president kill is dead.
Hooray, I’ll bet you can’t wait,
To vote for president kill instead...

[shockingelk]

7. Broomstick Cowboy - Bobbly Goldsboro

Performed by Claudine Longet:

Dream on little Broomstick Cowboy
Of rocket ships and Mars
Of sunny days and Willie Mays
And chocolate candy bars

Dream on little Broomstick Cowby
Dream while you can
of big green frogs and puppy dogs
And castles in the sand

For all too soon you'll waken
Your toys will all be gone
Your broomstick horse will ride away
To find another home

And you'll have grown into a man
With cowboys of your own
And then you'll have to go to war
To try to save your home

And then you'll have to learn to hate
You'll have to learn to kill
It's always been that way my son
I guess it always will

No broomstick gun they'll hand you
No longer you'll pretend
You'll call some man your enemy
You used to call him friend

And when the rockets thunder
You'll hear your brothers cry
And through it all you'll wonder
Just why they had to die

So dream on little Broomstick Cowboy
Dream while you can
For soon you'll be a dreadful thing
My son, you'll be a man

[booksenkatz]

9. Two songs by early Chicago

back in the Terry Kath days, when they were a more political band... before they lost their edge and lapsed into soft pop. They used actual recordings of the Chicago demonstrations on one of their albums, the chanting of "The whole world's watching." I use part of the first song in my sig line, it has deep meaning for me.

LOWDOWN

Oh my
Life has passed me by
The country I was brought up in
Fell apart and died

Oh no
Love's no longer there
Cold wind blew away the sun
That used to warm the air

Lowdown
Ooo! Feelin' pretty bad
Feelin' like I lost the best friend
That I ever had

Lowdown
Ooo! Got to find a way
Got to make the people see
The way I feel today
*******************************************
DIALOGUE PARTS I & II

Dialogue (Part I)

Terry
Are you optimistic
'bout the way things are going?

Peter
No, I never ever think of it at all

Terry
Don't you ever worry
When you see what's going down?

Peter
No, I try to mind my business,
that is, no business at all

Terry
When it's time to function
as a feeling human being, will your
Bachelor of Arts help you get by?

Peter
I hope to study further,
a few more years or so. I also hope
to keep a steady high

Terry
Will you try to change
things, use the power that you have,
the power of a million new ideas?

Peter
What is this power you
speak of and this need for things to
change? I always thought
that everything was fine

Terry
Don't you feel repression just
closing in around?

Peter
No, the campus here is very, very free

Terry
Don't it make you angry
the way war is dragging on?

Peter
Well, I hope the President
knows what he's into, I don't know

Terry
Don't you see the starvation
in the city where you live, all the
needless hunger all the
needless pain?

Peter
I haven't been there lately,
the country is so fine, but my
neighbors don't seem hungry 'cause
they haven't got the time

Terry
Thank you for the talk,
you know you really eased my mind
I was troubled by the shape
of things to come.

Peter
Well, if you had my
outlook your feelings would be
numb, you'd always think
that everything was fine

Dialogue (Part II)

Group
We can make it happen
We can change the world now
We can save the children
We can make it better
We can make it happen
We can save the children
We can make it happen

[Steely_Dan]

34. One correction...

First...Great choices in songs...
However, I believe the last song ends:

We can make it happen
We can make it hap

-P

[Dark]

10. Incubus' Megalomaniac.

Describes alot of right wingers

[theboss]

11. The Too Fat Polka

That one always gets me right where it counts. (Yes, this is an actual song).

I don't want her
You can have her
She's too fat for me.
She's too fat for me. She's too fat for me
Oh
I don't want her
You can have her
Please do that for me
She's too fat
She's too fat.
She's too fat for me.

I get dizzy
I get numbo.
When i'm dancing with my Jum-Jum-Jumbo.
She's a twosome
she's a foursome

If she'd lose some
I would like her moresome.

[Neecy]

12. Jokerman

Dylan wrote this song 20 years ago, but you'd swear he wrote it today about Bush*. Chilling stuff.


Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.

Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.

[Minstrel Boy]

13. Paris: "What Would You Do?"

I see a message from the government, like every day
I watch it, and listen, and call ‘em all suckas
They warnin’ me about Osama or whatever
Picture me buyin’ this scam I said never

You in tune to a Hard Truth Soldier spittin’
I stay committed gives a fuck to die or lose commission
It’s all a part of fightin’ devil state mind control
And all about the battle for your body mind and soul

And now I’m hopin’ you don’t close ya mind - so they shape ya
Don’t forget they made us slaves, gave us AIDS and raped us
Another Bush season mean another war for profit
All in secret so the public never think to stop it
The illuminati triple 6 all connected
Stolen votes they control the race and take elections
It’s the Skull and Bones Freemason kill committee
See the Dragon gettin’ shittier in every city

What would you do if you
knew all of the things we know
Would you stand up for truth
Or would you turn away too?

And then what if you saw
All of the things that’s wrong
Would you stand tall and strong?
Or would you turn and walk away...

Now ask yourself who’s the one with the most to gain (Bush)
‘Fore 911 motherfuckas couldn’t stand his name (Bush)
Now even niggas waivin’ flags like they lost they mind
Everybody got opinions but don’t know the time

‘Cause America’s been took - it’s plain to see
The oldest trick in the book is MAKE an enemy
Of phony evil so the government can do it’s dirt
And take away ya freedom lock and load, beat and search

Ain’t nothin’ changed but more colored people locked in prison
These pigs still beat us but it seem we forgettin’
But I remember ‘fore Septmember how these devils do it
Fuck Guliani ask Diallo how he doin’

We in the streets holla “jail to the thief”
Fuck wavin’ flags bring these dragons to they knees
Oil blood money make these killers ride cold
Suspicious suicides people dyin’ never told

It’s all a part of playin’ God so ya think we need ‘em
While Bin Ashcroft take away ya rights to freedom
Bear witness to the sickness of these dictators
Hope you understand the time brother cause it’s major

What would you do if you
knew all of the things we know
Would you stand up for truth
Or would you turn away too?

And then what if you saw
All of the things that’s wrong
Would you stand tall and strong?
Or would you turn and walk away...

So now you askin why my records always come the same
Keep it real, ain’t no fillers, motherfuck a blingin’
Mine eyes seen the gory of the coming of the beast
So every story every word I’m sayin’ “Fuck Peace”

See you could witness the illuminati bodycount
Don’t be surprised these is devils that I’m talkin’ bout
You think a couple thousand lives mean shit to killers?
Nigga I swear to God we the ones - ain’t no villans

Or any other word they think to demonize a country
Ain’t no terror threat unless approval ratings slumpin’
So I’ma say it for the record we the ones that planned it
Ain’t no other country took a part or had they hand in

Just a way to keep ya scary so you think you need ‘em
Praisin’ Bush while that killer take away ya freedom
How many of us got discovered but ignore the symptoms?
Niggas talkin’ loud but ain’t nobody sayin’ shit’

And with the 4th Amendment gone eyes are on the 1st
That’s why I’m spittin’ cyanide each and every verse
I see the Carlyle group and Harris Bank Accounts
I see ‘em plead the 5th each and every session now

And while Reichstag burns see the public buy it
I see the profilin’ see the media’s compliance
War is good for business see the vicious make a savior
Hope you understand the time brother cause it’s major

What would you do if you
knew all of the things we know
Would you stand up for truth
Or would you turn away too?

And then what if you saw
All of the things that’s wrong
Would you stand tall and strong?
Or would you turn and walk away...

http://www.guerrillafunk.com/paris/sonic_jihad/

[riverwalker]

14. Where have all the flowers gone

with the coffin photos on my mind......I had forgotten the chorus line of is also the title of the best book on Vietnam I've read by Myra Macpherson "Long time Passing: Vietnam and the haunted generation".

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
Pete Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone, long time passing?
Where have all the young girls gone, long time ago?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Gone for husbands everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the husbands gone, long time passing?
Where have all the husbands gone, long time ago?
Where have all the husbands gone?
Gone for soldiers everyone
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the soldiers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn

[ObaMania]

15. Practically every song on..

Alice Cooper's Brutal Planet CD

<edit> and on Dragontown!

[crissy71]

16. the next generation in nyc

NYC BENEFIT FOR PEACE ACTIVISTS FACING JAIL

WHAT: BENEFIT CONCERT

WHO: Queer feminist activist band from NYC "The Syndicate", Bands Against Bush power pop band "Gladshot", popular rockers "Marwood", Brooklyn’s own “Motico”, all-girl punk outfit "Pie", and Special Guests TBA. MC will be comedienne and activist Drae Campbell.

WHERE: Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street, NYC Directions at www.knittingfactory.com

WHEN: Sunday, May 2nd, 2pm

HOW MUCH: $15

WHY? This is a benefit show for the 16 non-violent activists who were arrested during a protest on March 26, 2003. They were protesting Rachel Corrie’s death, violations of Palestinian human rights, and the war on Iraq. They were recently convicted and now face jail time at their May 12th sentencing. This is an important case for the activist community, and the defendants need our support.

You can also help by donating funds at: www.m26.org

[not systems]

17. Sacrifice by Flipper

Can't you hear the war cry?
It's time to enlist
The people speak as one
The cattle, the crowd
Those too afraid to live
Demand a sacrifice
A sacrifice

Cant you smell their stinking breath
Listen to them
Wheezing and gasping and
Chanting their slogans
It's the grave diggers song
Demanding a sacrifice
A sacrifice

Can't you smell the fresh blood
Steaming into the soil
As our patriots
Fathers and mothers and lovers
Admire the military style
Praising God and State
Crying tears of pride
For the sons and lovers
For all the fools slaughtered
For the maimed, the dying
And the dead
So the nation will live
So the people will remain as cattle
Demand a sacrifice
A sacrifice

They want your life.

[seemslikeadream]

18. 35 years old and could have been written yesterday

Turn around,
go back down,
back the way you came,
Can't you see that flash of fire ten times brighter than the day?
And behold a mighty city broken in the dust again,
Oh God, Pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around,
go back down,
back the way you came,
Babylon is laid to waste, Egypt's buried in her shame,
The mighty men are all beaten down, their kings are fallen in the ways,
Oh God, Pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around,
go back down,
back the way you came,
Terror is on every side, lo our leaders are dismayed.
For those who place their faith in fire, their faith in fire shall be
repaid,
Oh God, Pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around,
go back down,
back the way you came,
And shout a warning unto the nation that the sword of God is raised.
Yes, Babylon, that mighty city, rich in treasures, wide in fame,
Oh God, Pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

The meek shall cause your tower to fall, make of you a pyre of flame,
Oh you who dwell on many waters, rich in treasures, wide in fame.
you bow unto your God of gold, your pride of might shall be a shame,
For only God can lead His people back unto the Earth again.

Oh God, Pride of Man, broken in the dust again.
A Holy mountain be restored, and mercy on that people, that people

Quicksilver Messenger Service Pride Of Man

[MrBadExample]

19. Elvis Costello (written by Nick Lowe)

I've been listening to this one a lot over the last year:

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding

As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There's one thing I wanna know

What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?

And as I walk on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so down-hearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away
Just makes me wanna cry

What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?

So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away
Just makes me wanna cry

What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?

[noonwitch]

30. I love that song! It's the social worker's theme song, imo.

peace

[Beam Me Up]

20. 1966, Stills, Buffalo Springfield: For What It's Worth

Buffalo Springfield
For What It's Worth
Stephen Stills, 1966

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware

I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side

It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

[mmonk]

21. I'll give the titles only (got work to do)

Find the Cost of Freedom (Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young)-Stephen Stills


Military Madness- Graham Nash

[tilsammans]

22. The ones that run through my mind are . . .

"What's Goin' On?" and "Eve of Destruction."

:scared:

[RT Atlanta]

23. "Suicide is Painless" from the M*A*S*H soundtrack

Lord if this one doesnt provide a sense of the despair those guys and gals in the field must feel:

http://helmi.home.pages.at/mash/sound/Suicide_Is_Painless.mp3

[Oddman]

24. Imagine - John Lennon

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

[RT Atlanta]

25. "Machine Gun" Jimi Hendrix

Here's a personal song favorite from my favorite musician (though I change my avatar regularly):

JIMI's intro (typical of his lead in to this song):

"HAPPY NEW YEAR FIRST OF ALL. I HOPE WE'LL HAVE A MILLION OR TWO MILLION MORE OF THEM... IF WE CAN GET OVER THIS SUMMER, HE HE HE. RIGHT NOW I'D LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS ONE TO THE DRAGGIN' SCENE THAT'S GOIN' ON ALL THE SOLDIERS THAT ARE FIGHTIN' IN CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND NEW YORK... OH YEAS, AND ALL THE SOLDIERS FIGHTIN' IN VIETNAM. LIKE TO DO A THING CALLED 'MACHINE GUN'."

MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY BODY ALL APART

MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY BODY ALL APART

EVIL MAN MAKE ME KILL YA
EVIL MAN MAKE YOU KILL ME
EVIL MAN MAKE ME KILL YOU
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ONLY FAMILIES APART

WELL I PICK UP MY AXE AND FIGHT LIK A BOMBER
(YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN)
HEY AND YOUR BULLETS KEEP KNOCKING ME DOWN

HEY I PICK UP MY AXE AND FIGHT LIKE A BOMBER NOW
YEAH BUT YOU STILL BLAST ME DOWN TO THE GROUND

THE SAME WAY YOU SHOOT ME DOWN BABY
YOU'LL BE GOING JUST THE SAME
THREE TIMES THE PAIN
AND YOUR OWN SELF TO BLAME
HEY MACHINE GUN


OOOOOOOOOO

I AIN'T AFRAID OF YOUR MESS NO MORE, BABE
I AIN'T AFRAID NO MORE
AFTER A WHILE YOUR YOUR CHEAP TALK DON'T EVERN CAUSE ME PAIN
SO LET YOUR BULLETS FLY LIKE RAIN

'CAUSE I KNOW ALL THE TIME YOU'RE WRONG BABY
AND YOU'LL BE GOIN' JUST THE SAME
YEAH MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY FAMILY APART
YEAH YEAH ALRIGHT
TEARING MY FAMILY APART

DON'T YOU SHOOT HIM DOWN
HE'S ABOUT TO LEAVE HERE
DON'T YOU SHOOT HIM DOWN
HE'S GOT TO STAY HERE
HE AIN'T GOING NOWHERE
HE'S BEEN SHOT DOWN TO THE GROUND
OH WHERE HE CAN'T SURVIVE NO NO

YEAH THAT'S WHAT WE DON'T WANNA HEAR ANY MORE, ALRIGHT
NO BULLETS
AT LEAST HERE, HUH HUH
NO GUNS, NO BOMBS
HUH HUH
NO NOTHIN', JUST LET'S ALL LIVE AND LIVE
YOU KNOW INSTEAD OF KILLIN'

[RT Atlanta]

26. "What's Going On?" Marvin Gay

Here's the last of my contributions to this thread (another great song by a man that was so damn eloquent with his views of the time - quite appropriate for today I believe):

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

[keithyboy]

27. Gets my vote too.

eom

[goclark]

36. Marvin Gay's "What's Going On"

It still has the same clear message that it had all those years ago!

[SilasSoule]

28. The Problem with Humans

By Cary Swinney. (see my sigline)

Also by Cary....The Bike Ride:

The Bike Ride

I took my bike out for a ride
on the lower southeast side

Where a young man should not ride
or come 'a goin'

The bluebonnets were in bloom
on a Texas afternoon

A mockingbird sang out a tune
for those who'll listen

People sleepin' in the streets of downtown Dallas
amidst the sound of Sunday's church bell afternoon

And I wonder sometimes, when they might come to
their minds

and a revolution shall ensue

I'm bettin' that a bloody revolution shall ensue

The propaganda just appears
in some TV ad for beer

But it does not show the fear
that we are hiding

Another touchdown from a run
another helmet comes undone

To show the world our toothless gums
and two gold earrings

Was nothing truly learned from Martin Luther King?
I guess all that civil rights stuff was a dream

Now our new prisons grow more full with angry citizens
and the rest of us are numbers in the game
I guess the rest of us are numbers in the game

It's so hard to define,

what is yours and what is mine
for with these nationalistic minds
we're surely crippled

We're spoon-fed through our TVs,
where our so-called enemies
are pointed out to you and me
like answered riddles

Is it no mystery to anyone that they're lying?
Even the old men down at the pool hall say that's true

And I wonder sometimes, when they might come to
their minds
and a revolution shall ensue
I'm bettin' that a bloody revolution shall I ensue

[Kazak]

29. I'll plug it again...Ping Pong (sound familiar?), by Stereolab

Ping Pong

it's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
how the economical cycle tends to revolve
in a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
a slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more

bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery

you see the recovery always comes 'round again
there's nothing to worry for things will look after themselves
it's alright recovery always comes 'round again
there's nothing to worry if things can only get better

there's only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents
there's only millions that die in their bloody wars, it's alright

it's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
it's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing

it's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
how the economical cycle tends to revolve
in a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
a slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more

bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery

don't worry be happy things will get better naturally
don't worry shut up sit down go with it and be happy

dum, dum, dum, de dum dum, de duh de duh de dum dum dum... ah ah
dum, dum, dum, de dum dum, de duh de duh de dum dum dum... ah ah

[mrgorth]

31. Incubus - Megalomaniac

[TheWatcher]

32. Another One Rush- The Weapon

We've got nothing to fear -- but fear itself?
Not pain, not failure, not fatal tragedy?
Not the faulty units in this mad machinery?
Not the broken contacts in emotional chemistry?
With an iron fist in a velvet glove
We are sheltered under the gun
In the glory game on the power train
Thy kingdom's will be done
And the things that we fear are a weapon to be held against us...
He's not afraid of your judgement
He knows of horrors worse than your Hell
He's a little bit afraid of dying
But he's a lot more afraid of your lying
And the things that he fears are a weapon to be held against him...
Can any part of life be larger than life?
Even love must be limited by time
And those who push us down that they might climb
Is any killer worth more than his crime?
Like a steely blade in a silken sheath
We don't see what they're made of
They shout about love, but when push comes to shove
They live for the things they're afraid of
And the knowledge that they fear is a weapon to be used against them...

[Steely_Dan]

33. Eve of Destruction

Eve of Destruction

[taughtmepatience]

35. Master's of War -- Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan (Freewheelin Bob Dylan 1963)

Its amazing how history always repeats itself

"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"


if Shakespeare were alive today, would he be Bob Dylan?

[carolinayellowdog]

37. Beat me to the punch-- so I'll choose another

WELCOME TO DU!

[carolinayellowdog]

38. Universal Soldier-- Buffy Sainte- Marie

He's five feet two and he's six feet four
He fights with missiles and with spears
He's all of 31 and he's only 17
He's been a soldier for a thousand years

He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an athiest, a Jain,
a Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew
and he knows he shouldn't kill
and he knows he always will
kill you for me my friend and me for you

And he's fighting for Canada,
he's fighting for France,
he's fighting for the USA,
and he's fighting for the Russians
and he's fighting for Japan,
and he thinks we'll put an end to war this way

And he's fighting for Democracy
and fighting for the Reds
He says it's for the peace of all
He's the one who must decide
who's to live and who's to die
and he never sees the writing on the walls

But without him how would Hitler have
condemned him at Dachau
Without him Caesar would have stood alone
He's the one who gives his body
as a weapon to a war
and without him all this killing can't go on

He's the universal soldier and he
really is to blame
His orders come from far away no more
They come from him, and you, and me
and brothers can't you see
this is not the way we put an end to war.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

39. Most of the music sucks...

So, not sure what that says?