, Willie Nelson's song for peace
By Jim Lane
People's Weekly World Newspaper
01/08/04
DALLAS - Texas peace activists are celebrating because our national hero, singer Willie Nelson, has released a new single that asks, "What Ever Happened to Peace on Earth?"
Americans have noticed that the war in Iraq has not been protested in song the way that earlier conflicts, especially the Vietnam war, were. The reason is that the record industry, radio, movies, and television are controlled by fewer and fewer big corporations. At the same time, a number of bellicose pro-war songs have been given access to the airwaves since Sept. 11, 2001.
Only a recording star with the amazing following of Willie Nelson could hope to get an antiwar message through the blockade of corporations like Clear Channel who own so many radio station playlists that they can effectively control what will be said or sung on the airwaves.
Fortunately, Willie has come through. At a fundraiser for Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich on Jan. 3 in Austin, Texas, Willie debuted the song and, according to reports, brought down the house. Willie Nelson has strongly endorsed Kucinich, who many say articulates the clearest progressive message among the Democratic contenders.
Many of Willie's enthusiastic supporters could not wait until Jan. 3 for the lyrics, which have been widely circulated on the Internet:
Willie Nelson's 'What Ever Happened To Peace On Earth'
There's so many things going on in the world Babies dying Mothers crying How much oil is one human life worth And what ever happened to peace on earth
We believe everything that they tell us They're gonna' kill us So we gotta' kill them first But I remember a commandment Thou shall not kill How much is that soldier's life worth And whatever happened to peace on earth
(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liars word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth
So I guess it's just Do unto others before they do it to you Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out Is this what God wants us to do
(Repeat Bridge)
Now you probably won't hear this on your radio Probably not on your local TV But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined You can always hear it from me How much is one picker's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth
But don't confuse caring for weakness You can't put that label on me The truth is my weapon of mass protection And I believe truth sets you free