~ Based on the song, "What Did You Learn in School
Today?" written by Tom Paxton; popularized by
Pete Seeger ~
What did you learn in school today, son
What did they teach in school
I learned how to protest my country, Dad
They taught me that violence pays
What class did you learn that in, my son
Do you remember the teacher’s name
I learned that in Geometry, Dad
And my teacher’s Mr. Uppin Flames
Why you leaving the house now, son
Not ‘til your homework’s done
My assignment’s to attend a protest rally
Hey, Dad ~ Can I borrow your gun
Oh, what did you learn in school today
What did the teacher say
I learned how to protest the US of A
My teacher said violence pays
Is a picture worth a thousand words?
Is it the same with a song?
Is it worth a thousand pictures?
Who can deny the powerful images
evoked from Songs of Struggle and Protest –
a forte of common humanity?
A song can paint optimism, commitment, and a desire
for peace, freedom, and the right to live without
…Your Millions, Mister.
A piece of art sings in the minds of thousands.
It shouts injustices to the skies in loud color
and questions Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
in broad strokes.
A government of placid leaders who
Turn, Turn the other cheek and project calm and concern.
Ask your children,
What Did You Learn in School Today?
Lord, save us from ourselves.
From My Muddy Stream all the way
To My Old Brown Earth, I see inspiration and admiration for nature.
I see the waste and cry to the skies, God Bless the Grass!
There is strength, passion, and nonconformity
in picture and in song.
The one should affect us, touch us, stir us,
and fill us, Step By Step.
Apologies to Pete Seeger
Where have all the donuts gone?
They are asking.
Where have all the donuts gone?
Nobody knows.
Where have all the donuts gone?
I ate them - every one.
I hope they never learn.
I hope they never learn.
Newport 1965
(Or Dylan Goes Electric)
This was the dream concert
folk was at its peak
Pete Seeger, Joan Baez,
Odetta, Peter, Paul and Mary
Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash,
Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia
But the prize, the dream was
to see Dylan play Blowin’ In the Wind
acoustically.
The folkie purists were shocked,
the dream had died.
Dylan played Maggie’s Farm with an
electric guitar and their world came
to an end.
"To everything there is a season." Ecclesiastes, Pete Seeger
Through green leaves and golden tresses, blew
Summer breezes when we were two.
Then Autumn, by ones, by twos, by threes
Swirled amber leaves off of the trees.
A white Winter storm, I was bereft,
And only leafless branches left.
A Spring zephyr on a sunny day
Told me, "Everything's OK".
this anonymous weaver spins his written tapestry
to acknowledge your ninetieth year
no matter this author unknown who deftly weaves
(for pete sakes) with english poetry
which rhyming threads fire away
(from axons to neurons)
at warp speed way out there
attempting to coalesce into some semblance
of comprehension from non other than me
a veritable stranger,
who considers your a folk icon
that hoop fully destiny will spare
until one grain of sand takes thee
to eternal blue skies astride
astral throne like king henry
with minstrelsy folks housed in a place
like my father’s mansion poised far and near
intent to discern the adroit banjo finger picking
plucky talent admission for all – free
whose eponymous trademark
je nais sais quois legendary voice
rings like a bell in the air.
There once were some Weavers
Who taught many of us to sing.
But it wasn't until much later in life
That their music would be my thing.
I never followed Pete Seeger
As his words with me didn't gel.
It would not be until years later
That others would finally tell.
Peter, Paul, and Mary grabbed my attention
With their skill, their courage, their art.
Of all the groups that I have listened to
They are closest to my heart.
Others garnered my attention
Donovan, Dylan, and Kingston Trio too.
I'd love to listen and sing along
As if every note was new.
Steve Goodman was a true artist
In his words of truth and form.
Folksingers come in every age
Croce's works were not the norm.
How I do love to listen to them singing
Or in some cases just strumming away.
The one regret I have in all of this...
I never learned how to play.
Pete Seeger flower child sandalwood Frank "Incensed" Myrrh, TH
versus
Pistol Pete, not the ball player
personally, was rooting for Pete
Pete lost
happened in a boat
rover and rover repeat
Something about having
you inside
me feels like outside is
warmer than
inside even when
maybe it's not but
it could be and that
doesn't matter because
matter is about how
happy we are inside and
outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RIP, Pete Seeger.
Namaste
~N
At last the day will come, my friend my friend,
At last the day will come-
The harbors will once more, fill up with love, not war,
At last the day will come-
From skies that once were dark, goodwill will now impart,
At last the day will come-
All across this land, my brothers will join hands,
At last the day will come-
From Dixie to DC, free speech will welcome thee,
At last the day will come-
Our zoos will open gates, all life will congregate,
At last the day will come-
The money that we earn, will not cause lives to burn,
At last the day will come-
Now sing it with me friends, your hourglass depends,
At last the day will come-
At last the day will come, my friend my friend,
At last the day will come-
….Inspired by Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan
12/30/10
© All Rights Reserved
FREEDOM SONG
Do you know the path to freedom,
do you know the road to peace,
do you know the value of truth and wisdom -
let’s bind our hands across the land.
Do you know how to love your brother,
do you know how to understand,
do you realize that you live only once -
let’s fill the world with love and joy.
The world is in a state of sorrow,
poverty, wars and hate abound;
let us stop all of these philosophizing,
let’s sing the song of peace instead.
The world is in a state of sorrow,
poverty, wars and hate abound;
let us stop all of these philosophizing,
let’s sing the song of peace instead.
(Dedicated to Pete Seeger)
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