I grow weary of the constant debate and arguing inherent on most discussion sites. In my life, music has been the one constant. The one refuge that I can retreat to in order to regenerate my energy to buttress myself against what ails me. The government, the system, depression, whatever, music has always been my ally in the fight against what I perceive as societies ills. Poverty, discrimination, prejudice, cowardice, ignorance, or just pure evil; music has been the the source of inspiration and hope.
As such it is decidedly one sided, or will definitely be perceived as such by most. Message music from the likes of Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Buffy Sainte Marie, Bob Dylan, et al. has been my stock in trade.
I will write down one song each day and will attempt to stay relevant with the current issues at hand. Comment, don't comment, makes no never mind. If only one verse of one song is able to change one persons perspective on things, then I will have succeeded. Peace

In every American community you have many shades of political opinion. One of the most shadiest of these is the liberals. Outspoken on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times, ten degrees to the right of center if it effects them personally. So here then is a lessen in safe logic by Phil Ochs.

Love Me I'm a Liberal

I cried when they shot Medgar Evers
Tears ran down my spine
I cried when they shot Mr. Kennedy
As though I lost a father of mine
But Malcom X got what was coming
He got what he asked for this time
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal..... Get it

I go to civil rights rallies
And I put down the old D.A.R.
I love Harry and Sidney and Sammy
I hope every black man becomes a star
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I cheered when Humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
I'm glad that the commies were thrown out
Of the A.F.L. C.I.O. board
And I love Puerto Ricans and black men
As long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

The people of old Mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter, don't they watch Les Crane?
But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope that the cops take your name
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I read New Republic and Nation
I've learned to take every view
You know I've memorized Lerner and Goldman
I feel like I'm almost a Jew
But when it comes to times like Iraq
There's no one more red white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I vote for the democratic party
They want the U.N. to be strong
I go to all the Pete Seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs
I'll send all the money you ask for
Just don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

Once I was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns
But I've grown older and wiser
And that's why I'm turning you in
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

Yea I'm familiar with Algren, I wish more people were.

Song for Saturday the 15th as I will be working most of the day.

Ballad of Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown, He lived on the outside of town.
HollisBrown, He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin fallin' down

You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile

Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a tuggin at your sleeves
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a tuggin at your sleeves
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe

The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?

You prayed to the lord above
Oh please send me a freind
You prayed to the lord above Oh please send me a freind
Your empty pockets tell you
That you ain't got know freinds

Your babies are crying louder
It's a pounding on your brain
Your babies are crying louder
It's a pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are a stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells

Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's a hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar

There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Theres seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born...... Bob Dylan, 1964

Norske,

How about the words from "The Universal Soldier". Buffy and Donovan did great renditions.

restwell. Heck, I am not with myself on most issues. It would be pretty boring if everyone agreed all of the time. I wrote out the lyrics to Universal Soldier on the web site.
This is a cool site. The general newspaper site is beginning to devolve into something resembling the discussion board site. I have not looked at the discussion board in months but I receive e-mails about it quite frequently. Too bad. IMO

Hey Norske,

I have been reading your posts for quite awhile now and find them very interesting. When I read them I swear I sleep blogging the night before because what you have to say sounds a lot like what I have to say. Since we both live in Atascadero and are fellow Norskies I'd love to have a cup of tea at one of our local gathering spots.

Please call me at 805-426-9281

Hilsen fra,

Fred Dyste