"Eve of Destruction" (lyrics)

[villager]

The eastern world, it is exploding
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 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


And 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 sitting 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
You may leave here for 4 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… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction
Mm, no no, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.

(c) 1964, PF Sloan

[napi21]

1. Sometimes nothing changes. n/t

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. Yeah it's been a long long long road.

But I'm not giving up !

[villager]

4. No, we can't give up.

That's just what the bastards want.

[Coloradan4Truth]

3. Check out Barry singing it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ESOKkU1ho&mode=related&search=

[villager]

5. Thanks!

n/t

[malaise]

6. That's one great song

Was playing it in my office last week. My students never heard it. THey're so young. I also love Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys by the Equals. Those songs rocked during the anti-Vietnam protests.

[villager]

8. I don't know that Equals tune....

n/t

[malaise]

9. Here -Equals

It was very popular in the UK and across the globe. I used to hear it in New YOrk
People: white is white
What's black ain't clover

Together we'll be
When the war is over.
You see the Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys

They ain't gonna fight no wars
Oh
now.

Cool is school
But the teachers beat yer

When they see

That they can't reach yer.
You see the Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys

They ain't gonna fight no wars
Oh
now.

They ain't got no country

They ain't got no creed

People won't be black or white

The world will be half-breed.
The world will be half-breed.
The world will be half-breed.
You see the Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys

they ain't gonna fight no doggone wars.

They ain't got no country...

It's a brand new day

With brand new people

In one big world

We're just one people.
You see the Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys

They ain't gonna fight no wars. Oh
now.
Baby
you know that we hate fighting.

[villager]

10. wow -- music to scare Republicans by

I dig it!

[Jeanette in FL]

7. One of my all time favorites

And the words are as true now as they were then. How fucking sad. Thanks for reminding us.