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Eve Of Destruction Lyrics
The eastern world it tis explodin',
Violence flarin', bullets loadin',
You're old enough to kill but not for votin',
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin',
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin',
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Don't you understand, what I'm trying to say?
And Can't you feel the fear that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away,
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
Take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy,
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin',
I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin',
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
Handful of Senators don't pass legislation,
And marches alone can't bring integration,
When human respect is disintegratin',
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin',
And you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China!
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space,
But when your return, it's the same old place,
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace,
Hate your next door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace,
And you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Violence flarin', bullets loadin',
You're old enough to kill but not for votin',
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin',
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin',
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
And Can't you feel the fear that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away,
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
Take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy,
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin',
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
Handful of Senators don't pass legislation,
And marches alone can't bring integration,
When human respect is disintegratin',
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin',
And you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space,
But when your return, it's the same old place,
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace,
Hate your next door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace,
And you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
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In response...
It does mention aspects of Vietnam, particularly these lyrics:
you're old enough to kill but not for votin'
Because there was a huge debate about letting 18 year-olds being drafted for a war when they couldn't even vote--so, basically, it was like they were being forced into a war they couldn't voice an opinion about as far as voting went.
But...yeah.
This is one of the most powerful songs I know.
The venom and anger in his voice is inspiring - apparently they intended to re-recorded it with more 'polished' vocals, but this version had already taken off on the radio. The main cocnern seems to be nuclear weapons, but Vietnam and race relations come into play as well. Another 60s protest song which sadly isn't outdated and passé now - people never seem to learn. People will routinely be returning from four days in space amidst wars, famine, poverty and crime in a few decades' time.
@JackofHearts This song remains as relevant as ever, even now.
@JackofHearts This song remains as relevant as ever, even now.
Ha, I remember hearing the beginning of this song on a songs from Vietnam CD infomercial. It sounded really peaceful so I gave it a listen. It ended up being the most angry snarl I ever heard. Awesome, awesome freakin' song that we still need to listen to today.
Quite obvious meaning. The world is slowly falling apart and some people are too ignorant to notice or care yet the people who are noticing are scared and worried about it. "Even the Jordan river has bodies floating" - Meaningless killing even in 'holy' places. "Hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace" - People hate the people around them but they still claim to be good people. "You may leave here for four days in space but when you return it's the same old place" - You can go infinitely far away from this place (Earth) and come back and things will be the same if not worse.
You get the idea.
well...quite actual these days....
man this song is just beautiful... vietnam incited excellent songs. albeit, under awful circumstances. plus his voice is really powerful.
He received a real backlash of opinion which really hurt his career
this was from the 60's, and its very relevant to whats happenning today.
i love this song... its lyrics, the music.. the emotion.. it's wikid
"you're old enough to kill but not for votin',"- I believe the age to go to war should be 20 or 21. It sickens me that 18 year olds are fighting old mens commands and are dying for useless causes.
"If the button is pushed, there's no running away,"- America should be an example and destroy our nuclear weapons. So if sumone hits us with a nuke, what are we goin' to do nuke them back. and by the way america is the only country that has used nuclear weapons against city(s).
"There'll be noone to save with the world in a grave," Our government doesnt give a crap about global warming or protecting the environment
"this whole crazy world is just too frustratin'," yes, but dont doubt that a small group of caring, committed citczens can change the world. There is always hope. Your life ends when you become silent about things that matter to you. The power of example is far greater than what you have to say