There is no way for any one of us to ever fully realize how much our life means to those around us, especially when we are in the midst of deep depression or bipolar disorder. An ode to the most steadfast and prolific topical songwriter of the '60's.
When I was 13 I first heard "Bracero"*
Ringing through my brother's bedroom door
Your passion & conviction awoke something within me
Shook my teenage heart to the core
When I was 18 me and Michael
Wouldn't play General Hershey's little game
That fall in Ann Arbor you sang "The War Is Over"
Cry of hope, scream of shame
From "The Power and the Glory"
To the dawn of "Another Age"
You dared to show your pride
And patriotic outrage
If you could only have given yourself
The hard love you freely gave to the struggle
If you only . . .
Been 20 years and more in the circle time parade
You've missed some outrageous punch lines!
The Gipper, Clinton, Newt, Cheney, Fox News
Miss the way you'd keep us laughing at the lies
How could you ever know how many lives you touched
With your clear voice, guitar and fountain pen
Your song still rings true across these many years
Far beyond your small circle of friends
Been too many martyrs
Pray I'd be strong if that were my call
I've found places to turn
When the darkness grows too strong
Help me make it for the long haul
* song about the plight of migrant workers