Bringing the Protest Songs Back

This year for Christmas, one of my favorite presents was a songbook called "Rise Up Singing." Lots of folk songs, some standards, and lots of good memories for me. I've started listening to more protest songs lately, and here's a great one by John Prine that's in the book:

While digesting Reader's Digest In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back, Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross I'd tell her how good I feel.

Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.

Well, I went to the bank this morning And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car And one on my wife's forehead.

Repeat Chorus

Well, I got my window shield so filled With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man Standing in the Pearly Gates said...

"But your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more."

"Universal Soldier" is another good one - Donovan, I think, if you want to look it up. I've been having a swell time singing old songs and those that are new to me. Corny as it sounds, it is SO fun when the family gets together over the holidays and sings. A few people get their guitars out, and all kinds of good songs start. Old, new, pretty, dirty, silly.... I wish I had that here at home, too, with some friends, but the rarity of it certainly makes it a special occasion.

Two of my childhood favorites: "Marvelous Toy" and "Daddy, What's a Train?" If you have kids, look 'em up!