Eve Of Destruction A Much Better Song Than Hell's Bells
It has an impossibly complicated stereo system. The only feature I have managed to manipulate is the pause button. It is booming out a homemade c-d of his favorite music. Today I listened, seeking to more appreciate his surprisingly eclectic tastes. I made it through six songs. There was "Hell's Bells", an ear-cracking jumble of noise and I'm thinking profanity, although I could not exactly make out the words. There was a song with a theme something about "Like An Egyptian", which I am hoping was not Britney Spears, because I do not want to waste four minutes of my life listening to her music. Then, from nowhere, came the Star Spangled Banner. It was a nice reprise from the head numbing revelry, and I found myself with one hand over my heart and singing along. Then came a catchy song in which the performer kept declaring his intention to "get away, to flyyyy away..."
I was most surprised to hear The Eve Of Destruction, by Barry McGuire. It is a war protest song produced in 1965. I was a teenager in the mid-70's and barely remember the song, although I certainly remember the anti-war movement. Interestingly, Barry McGuire is now a Christian performer, and you can check out what he is now up to at this link . I am not sure why my son, gun-ho Marine and steadfast political conservative, would like this song. Maybe he has not considered the message of the music? It has a nice, fun, catchy little beat. And if we are not careful, we can find ourselves walking around singling something quite inappropriate simply because it sounds good. I doubt that his Marine Sargent would appreciate The Eve Of Destruction.
I will not print the lyrics . However, I would like to interact with a few of the themes.
"You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’"
Yep, if an 18-year-old can kill on behalf of his country, he'd best be able to vote. Of course I'm more than a little skeptical, thinking old men and politicians send kids off to war to do their dirty work. By definition, an 18-year-old is idealistic and naive and probably has not thoroughly developed a mature philosophy of war, and so is subject to manipulation by smart and sometimes evil men. But, that's just the newest opinion of this soldier's dad!
"Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say
Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave
[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]"
This was written 43 years ago. I remember fallout shelters! I think it is still a legitimate fear. I will make a prediction. There are enough weapons of mass destruction throughout our world, and enough rogue and "righteous" men with their hands upon the triggers, that I believe within my lifetime there will be a major and catastrophic nuclear event. It won't destroy the world, but will forever alter it.
Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
Now, that's some bad poetry!
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
Amen, and amen.
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
Earlier, the song asks why we are so preoccupied with the evil of Red China and yet seem to overlook what is happening in Selma, Alabama. I've traveled through Philadelphia, Mississippi, which in my semi-ignorance I think is the reference of the first line above. And I have been to Selma. I've driven across the bridge where King and his associates were beaten.
"Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace."
Oh my, but this strikes between the eyes. It is just an impossibility to hate your fellow man, and with the same heart proposition a prayer that reaches the ears of God. Isn't it? Isn't it?
So, a good song. I'm glad my son listens to it.
