Anti War Song Meme

[jeffreyab]

"Blowin' in the Wind" is a song written by Bob Dylan in April 1962,
and released on his 1963 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

When you see this, post an anti-war song or a pro soldier song in your journal.

Tommy Atkins by Kipling comes to mind although it has no music I know of.

Comments

[ponsdorf.livejournal.com]

I never understood why that one was 'anti-war'. The first two stanzas taken by themselves, maybe, but add the third and it's quite easily a call to arms to free the oppressed. War is terrible, but sometimes we must listen to the cries and do something.

When the song was first written/sung Kennedy was President, Vietnam was of little note!

It certainly became commonly associated with the anti-war movement later, but it always puzzled me.

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

It does make one pause and reflect on why we go to war.

Things that seem big at the time can fade with time.

[snarkactual.livejournal.com]

This is the one song I remember. It was played instead of reveille every morning on Smoke Bomb Hill (Home of the JFKSWC) at Ft. Bragg. At the time I thought it was pretty corny and hokey. It still is, kind of, but...I kind of like it too now.

Ballad of the Green Beret
by SSgt Barry Sadler
5th Special Forces Group 1st Special Forces - Vietnam

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Berets

Silver wings upon their chests
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained to combat hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courtesy of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chests
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win his Green Beret

[elmwood.livejournal.com]

The late English folk singer, Peter Bellamy, put Tommy Atkins to music and, indeed, most of Kipling's Barrack Room Ballads. They are definitely worth a listen.

[leolac.livejournal.com]

I like "Where have all the Flowers Gone?" for a folk song, and then there's "Eve of Destruction" for something more upbeat.

I analysed this song in Religion class in Gr. 3. Thanks for the memories...