Kingston Crossroads: Re: 61 Years Ago ... Back To The Future -- CAUTION: sarcastic humor

Thanks, Larry, for your reply! Bob Dylan, despite his youth, knew how to express his thoughts in song. "Masters of War" not only harked back to earlier arms manufacturers but also squarely aimed at "The Military-Industrial Complex" that President Eisenhower warned the nation about. It's diabolically amazing how innovative mankind can be in developing weaponry to inflict death and pain on others. Somehow, the use of force can and will always be justified, and this brings up the question from Pete's song:

When will we ever learn
When will we ever learn

My Answer: As long as there's a buck in it, never!

Masters of War
Written by: Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war

You that build all the guns

You that build the death planes

You that build the big 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

Previous Message

Excellent posts, Ken. (as always)

Speaking of back to the future.
How 'bout in 1962 when Bob Dylan wrote "Masters of War" during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Dylan was 21 years old and this legendary song appeared on his magnificent second album: "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".

Bob Dylan's final verse to those "Masters of War" :

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

- Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan discusses "Masters of War" in the liner notes from his "Freewheelin" album:

"I've never really written anything like that before.
I don't sing songs which hope people will die, but I couldn't help it in this one.
The song is a sort of striking out, a reaction to the last straw, a feeling of ~ what can you do?"

Previous Message

As The World Burns starring G.O.A.T. Prez, Donnie "General Bonespurs" Trump. In today's episode, in an unexpected onset of patriotism, Beavis & Butthead Trump rush down to their closest Marine Recruitment Office and sign up. In admiration of his big brothers' gallantry, Barron Trump is compelled to do the same. We'll return to today's episode after a word from our sponsor, Oxydol Laundry Detergent.

Previous Message

Except for the change in the voting age from 21 in 1965 to 18 in 1971, this song remains just as relevant now as it was when it was released in 1965.

Eve of Destruction
Song by Barry McGuire

The Eastern world, it is explodin'
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin'

But you tell me over and over and over again my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Don't you understand what I'm trying to say?
Can't you feel the fear that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you, boy

But you tell me over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation
Handful of Senators don't pass legislation

And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'

And you tell me over and over and over again my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
Ah, you may leave here for four days in space
But when you return, it's the same old place
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead but don't leave a trace
Hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace

And you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend
You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Songwriters: P. F. Sloan