Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war
I don’t want your diamonds or your game
I just want to be someone known to you as me
And I will bet my life you want the same
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war
Most of what you read is made of lies
But speaking one to one, ain’t it everybody’s sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise?
Sing it like you’ve never sung, before
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere
We, the people here don’t want a war
If not won’t you drop this friend a line?
Tell me if the man who is plowing up your land
Has got the war machine upon his mind
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere
We, the people here don’t want a war
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
So let us build them shelves
Where they can fight among themselves
And leave the people be who like to sing
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere
We, the people here don’t want a war
We, the people here don’t want a war
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
To me, this song has two meanings. One is we are all the same and wake up under the same sun. The other is war is about leaders talking and sending young men off to die. I like the line about building shelves for the leaders to fight upon and leave us alone. As we scroll forward to 2014, things do not change.
We, the people, see leaders talk about everything but what is important. Around the world, we see religion often used as a weapon to divide and rule. We see poverty, because of war and corruption where leaders make themselves rich and others suffer. We see women treated as possessions far too many times. We will not gain a wider peace until women are treated better and, at least closer to equals, if not equal around the globe. Call out injustices when you see it. That is our only hope.
Please join with me to listen to a version of Darin’s simple song of freedom.
musingsofanoldfart 
That song always was important. Sometimes I wonder if people today even think about there being a better way. Or is it a national pastime to simply ignore the never ending war? I wonder if the draft were reinstituted if people would find their voice again.
Thanks for your comments. Being drafted would alter perspective. One of the issues we have with our VA today, is so few are fighting in very stressful places, where civilians could be the enemy or hide the enemy. The pressure is intense not to kill a civilian. Plus, with the re-ups, people are more exposed and greater numbers return with fewer limbs or brain injuries and PTSD. Our bureaucratic VA system was built for fewer Vets and not as many limb, brain and PTSD injuries.
Yes, war has been sanitized and re-glorified. Americans in general, do not suffer the consequences, do not even understand the constant stress of living in a war torn country, much less being tasked with fighting with an unidentifiable enemy. I wish we did have a draft, that harnessed ALL youth, regardless of social status, and a war tax, whereby nothing could be spent on the military beyond the percentage of the budget set aside for war, and that set-aside would be clearly identified as such to tax paying citizens. Too much to ask, I know.
I think you just described the Israeli model. We could ask for military or peace corps service (domestic and global) and make a huge difference on perspective.
ah; sometimes we don’t feel so free anymore. thanks for sharing the ageless message. the tune is very comforting this morning before i check out of the hotel and head home to the river.
z
Z, have a safe journey home. I love the pictures they showed with this version of the song. I think it is up to us to speak out, diplomatically, but firmly. Take care, BTG
However, I really, really, really do like “Splash Splash”!
Russel, I see you have been visiting. Many thanks for your perusals of earlier posts. Darin is probably more known for that one than others. In fact, at first I was disappointed that his earlier songs were more ballads, since Splish Splash was more for our younger ears. I appreciate the others more now that my ears are older. Thanks again for stopping by, BTG
Thanks for directing me here … I had never heard this song, which is very odd, but it certainly was well-suited to the times. Thanks, Keith!
By saying it is ‘odd’, I meant the fact that I had never heard it, not that the song was odd! Thought I better clear that up!
Jill, truth be told, I had never heard it before the Kevin Spacey movie about Bobby Darin called, I think “Beyond the Sea.” Keith
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Many thanks for the ping. This song still gets hits even though I posted it a while back. Keith