Casey's Song

[Michael]

I “met” Cindy Sheehan when I read a poem that Casey Sheehan’s sister wrote for him that was posted on the Mount Diablo Peace Center message board.

I began an email dialogue with Cindy at the time. I dedicated a song that I had written, “Soldiers Of Peace”, to Cindy and the memory of Casey.

I’ve been working on this song, which I presumptuously call “Casey’s Song”, for some time.

I don’t write to or hear from Cindy much these days and, for that, I’m grateful. I’m grateful that she’s too busy because the nation has had the good fortune to meet her. She’s a strong woman and a loving mother.

Listen, if you like.

He grew up in the suburbs
an ordinary kid.
Was friendly and respectful
in everything he did.

Was proud to be a Boy Scout
and parade his uniform.
Learned self respect and discipline
and learned how to conform.

He had a group of friends and
he loved his family.
Was proud of where he lived and
the fact that he was free.

He knew that God would catch him
if he ever fell
He knew that God would never send
an altar boy to hell.

He solemnly swore on his honor
to be true to leaders and State.
He promised to keep himself healthy.
He swore to be morally straight.

He signed on as a Jarhead
because of what they said.
They overstated honor,
shoved glory in his head.

If he’d only be willing
he could be all he could be.
He’d surely make his family proud
and make some country free.

In boot camp they reformed him.
They readied him for war.
They taught him how to hate, check
compassion at the door.

He learned his life depended
on obeying their command.
Conformity was needed to
accomplish what they planned

He knew he’d be safeguarding freedom.
He believed in what he was told.
His country would never deceive him
but soon it began to unfold

He went out on a mission,
the purpose wasn’t clear.
He learned he shouldn’t question.
He learned to hide his fear.

Within his mind he wondered.
He couldn’t stop his heart
from hammering his chest so hard
he thought he’d blow apart

He thought he was safeguarding freedom
but doubt was invading his brain.
The landscape was war’s revelation,
the anguish, the torture, the pain.

He signed on as a Jarhead
because of how they lied.
If he knew then the things he learned
he never would have died.

To friendship,
Michael

“The height of arrogance is the control of those who would create god in their own image.” – Ramtha

The Mind Of Michael
Speak Your Mind And Read Mine

[Scootertrash]

Very very cool.

[Lightning Rod]

nice tune, michael

in the protest tradition

reminds me of Masters of War

[Michael]

Scooter, (be careful with that name - ), I’m glad you like this song.

LR, thanks for, yet, another reply. Of course, as you know, I’m in the deep into the protest tradition. Matter of fact, like you, I may have been there when the protest tradition was but a sparkle in the eye of traditions.

Harry Chapin was the inspiration for the music and production.

To friendship,
Michael

“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world.” – Benjamin Harrison

The Mind Of Michael
Speak Your Mind And Read Mine

[Lightning Rod]

michael,

here is one of my favorite protest songs, by Neil Young.

http://www.studioeight.tv/musicpost/LR/southern.mp3

I had to record it tonight because you had me thinking about protest songs.

I've been kicked out of more than one biker bar for doing this tune.

[Michael]

LR, I think Neil Young would be right proud of that cover. And you know that else? After reading about the relationship between Neil and Ronnie Van Zandt, I think Ronnie may have given you kudos as well.

It’s for sure that I give you kudos.

Neil’s rendition is an angry one. Yours is a sorrowful one – maybe better stated as a sorrow filled version.

Whereas Neil says “You better change you son of a bitch”, you say, “It’s time we relegated the past to where it belongs, in the past." Yours is a defense of Huxley’s “Brave New World”.

Yours is more how it should be. Neil’s, unfortunately, is how it may eventually have to be.

The Regime eats up passionate rationalization. They have a habit of turning things around to circumvent the truth.

E.g., if Gore was president on 9/11/01, he would have called upon Al Qaeda to join us in a group hug. Thus say the purveyors of immoral spin.

You do a fine job with this.

To Friendship,
Michael Bonanno

“In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.” - Peter Ustinov

The Mind Of Michael
Speak Your Mind And Read Mine