Lately I've been depressed about what people are doing in and to our world. Those of you who have been subject to my rants about our so-called civilization know that I think that we are, in fact and in history, not civilized at all and haven't really learned much of anything since we were hairier and carried clubs. Based on that thinking I shouldn't let any of this get me down. But it does. We could be so much better. Sorry about that.
Today I listened to some old Bob Dylan albums. I haven't listened to him in quite a while and it hit home again, as it always does, why he was so worshiped by us all when we were young. He had a lot to say and he said it so well. Unfortunately, what he said back in the 1960's is even more relevant today.
Bear with me. Below are the lyrics from one of the songs from his "Times They are a Changin'" album. I hear lots of fearful people talk and see the hatred growing towards the "other" in this country. It makes me sad. BTW: We need congress to make a new law about sending our troops into "conflicts" or war: "The only votes counted as valid will be made by those members who have military age sons or daughters who will then serve as combat troops in the front lines of said prospective conflict or war."
With God on Our Side
Oh my name it ain't nothin', my age it means less . The country I come from is called the Midwest . I was taught and brought up there, all the laws to abide. And that land that I live in has God on its side.
Oh the history books tell it, they tell it so well . The cavalries charged and the Indians fell . The cavalries charged and the Indians died. Oh the country was young with God on its side.
Oh the Spanish-American war had its day. And the civil war too was soon laid away . And the names of the heroes I was made to memorize . With guns in their hands and God on their side.
The first world war, boys, it came and it went . The reason for fighting I never could get . But I learned to accept it, accept it with pride . Now you don't count the dead when God's on your side.
When the Second World War came to an end, we forgave the Germans and then we were friends. Though they murdered six million in the ovens they fried, the Germans now too have God on their side.
I've learned to hate Russians all through my whole life. If another war comes it's them we must fight. To hate them and fear them, to run and to hide, and accept it all bravely with God on my side.
But now we got weapons of a chemical dust . If fire 'em we're forced to then fire them we must . One push of the button and a shot the world wide. And you never ask questions when God's on your side.
In a many dark hour I've been thinkin' about this. That Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss. But I can't think for you, you'll have to decide , whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side
So now as I'm leavin', I'm weary as hell. The confusion I'm feelin' ain't no tongue can tell. The words fill my head and they fall to the floor , and if God's on our side, He'll stop the next war.
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