When I was growing up, I had three older sisters. During the 60’s and early 70’s, I was influenced by the culture of social change, outrage, and unrest. I remember listening to all the music that was reflective of those times.
Songs about Kent State, the war, and Woodstock became a stable for my love of music as I got older. I now find that our society seems to be right back there again.
Once again unrest, anger, fear, and manipulation seem to be the new norm.
Lately, that music about social change, not giving up, and taking a standing seems to be making its way from albums and 8 tracks to digital, and it up reminds me of Gill-Scott Heron, especially Winter in American.
Funny how things that influenced you long ago, without meaning, find meaning at another time in your life.
Check this out, how applicable is this?
From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds Looking for the rain Looking for the rain
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline Living in a nation that just can’t stand much more Like the forest buried beneath the highway Never had a chance to grow Never had a chance to grow
And now it’s winter Winter in America Yes and all of the healers have been killed Or sent away, yeah But the people know, the people know It’s winter Winter in America And ain’t nobody fighting ‘Cause nobody knows what to save Save your soul, Lord knows From Winter in America
The Constitution A noble piece of paper With free society Struggled but it died in vain And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner Hoping for some rain Looks like it’s hoping Hoping for some rain
