This is a powerful song that tells a nearly untold story. I hate how complicit we often end up being in overseas travesties because so much of our lives are tied to corporations and governments who look at other people's suffering and see money to be made. I also hate how ignorant we can be of these things. Before today, I don't think I'd even heard of East Timor. I will definitely be looking more into the Ploughshares.
I love your interpretation of the lyrics though. I think you really hit the nail on the head.
There is so much we can learn from songs. A lot of the time, we listen without really listening. Of course, there are those "special" songs we know by heart without ever having studied the lyrics. But often, there are important things in the lyrics that can bring our attention to what is happening (or has happened) in the world.
Speaking of ploughshares, the Ploughshares movement started in 1980, but Pete Seeger was talking about "beating swords (or spears in this case) into ploughshares" back in the 60s. In 2014, just after Seeger passed away, Bill Moyers wrote an article about meeting him in the 60s. I encourage you to read it (https://billmoyers.com/2014/01/28/pete-seeger-beating-flagpoles-into-ploughshares/).
Yeah, he really was a constant anchor amid the waves of the changing tides over many decades. He never wavered in his belief that songs can help to create a better world.
This is a powerful song that tells a nearly untold story. I hate how complicit we often end up being in overseas travesties because so much of our lives are tied to corporations and governments who look at other people's suffering and see money to be made. I also hate how ignorant we can be of these things. Before today, I don't think I'd even heard of East Timor. I will definitely be looking more into the Ploughshares.
I love your interpretation of the lyrics though. I think you really hit the nail on the head.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Sunday.
There is so much we can learn from songs. A lot of the time, we listen without really listening. Of course, there are those "special" songs we know by heart without ever having studied the lyrics. But often, there are important things in the lyrics that can bring our attention to what is happening (or has happened) in the world.
Speaking of ploughshares, the Ploughshares movement started in 1980, but Pete Seeger was talking about "beating swords (or spears in this case) into ploughshares" back in the 60s. In 2014, just after Seeger passed away, Bill Moyers wrote an article about meeting him in the 60s. I encourage you to read it (https://billmoyers.com/2014/01/28/pete-seeger-beating-flagpoles-into-ploughshares/).
What an insightful article! I never can get enough of Pete Seeger.
Yeah, he really was a constant anchor amid the waves of the changing tides over many decades. He never wavered in his belief that songs can help to create a better world.
Good to see you doing this, Lousie. We (Ss, everybody) need this kind of thing!!!