The weary mothers of the earth
will finally rest
Hi all,
Thank you for joining me for this Sunday Special commentary.
Comments and questions are welcome. If you’d like to hear the song before you read the background, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article.
For Japanese students, a glossary of the vocabulary in bold is provided below. TOEFL (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.
Some thoughts…
(367 words)
We are coming to the end of the year. In many places in the northern hemisphere, the weather has turned cold, and winter has begun. I live in the countryside, and I can see the changes. The frogs have started to burrow underground, birds are getting ready for the cold months ahead, and mother nature is quiet, as though preparing for sleep.
There have been many struggles on our tiny planet this year. Conflicts between nations and between people of various beliefs continue their destruction. Leaders in many places tighten their grip on power over their people.
Yet, there has been progress.
Cities in Europe are leading the way toward positive changes in the climate.
We’ve learned that whale poop can save us .
There are millions of people around the globe who are working toward a sustainable future for everyone and everything alive on the planet.
For the moment, maybe it’s time to take a deep breath of fresh winter air, clear our minds, and get a bit of rest before taking up again the challenges and opportunities that await us in the coming year.
The song today is by Joan Baez. It is called All the Weary Mothers of the Earth (in Spanish, Las Madres Cansadas). The English version is from her 1972 album, Come from the Shadows, and the Spanish version from Gracias a la Vida, in 1974.
The song looks toward a day when hardworking people everywhere will be able to live better lives in a more peaceful world, and whose labor will not be used to make the rich richer or to devastate the land and oceans.
Yes, it is an ideal world. As Eleanor Roosevelt said:
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
…
All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest
…
And the farmer on his tractor, and beside his plow
Will stand there in confusion as we wet his brow
…
And the aching workers of the world again shall sing
These words in mighty choruses to all will bring
…
And when the soldiers burn their uniforms in every land
And the foxholes at the borders will be left unmanned
General, when you come for the review
The troops will have forgotten you
And the men and women of the earth shall rest
Question
How do you find rest when you are weary?
VOCABULARY
northern hemisphere 北半球
burrow 潜る
grip 握力
poop うんこ
devastate 荒廃させる
ideal 理想的
weary 疲れた
plow 鋤
brow 額
ache 痛み
mighty 強力な
foxholes 塹壕
unmanned 無人
review 再検討する
troops 軍隊
In English (0:00 ~ 03:27) and enjoy the beauty of the Spanish language (03:28 ~ 06:24)
Never heard this one before. What a lovely sentiment. Reminds me of other 60s songs honoring the struggles of the common people, such as Bob Dylan's "The Chimes of Freedom," and the Rolling Stone's "Salt of the Earth," which Joan Baez also covered.
A beautiful song! I plan to learn it in both languages!