Anti-war songs from the 1960s “All we are saying…” Anti-war songs from the 1960s

The 1960s The 1960s were a time of drastic change, and widespread anti-war sentiments Many songs impacted young men and women and caused them to turn against the war

“Give Peace A Chance” With lyrics such as, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance” this song became very important to anti-war demonstrators Written by John Lennon This song was written during a “bed in” where Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono spent their honeymoon in bed for 8 days straight in order to promote world peace Lennon played the song many times during the 8 days before someone decided to record it Released in 1969

“I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die” Written by Country Joe and the Fish, this song mocks pro war sentiments and ideas The chorus goes, “And it’s one, two, three what are we fighting for? Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, next stop is Vietnam. And it’s five, six, seven open up the pearly gates, well there ain’t no time to wonder why whoopee! We’re all gonna die” Makes fun of war advocates by claiming that they don’t know or care what they are fighting for Makes fun of soldiers who are portrayed as excited to die for nothing Played at woodstock in 1969

“War” Written by Edwin Starr” Has a very clear and obvious anti-war message Lyrics like, “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing” and “War has shattered many a young man’s dreams” targeted young men and would be soldiers. These lyrics were meant to persuade young men not to fight and the government to stop the war Written in 1969 Covered by Bruce Springsteen after the 9/11 attacks

“Fortunate Son” Written by Creedence Clearwater revival Another song targeting potential soldiers With lyrics that read, “Some folk inherit star spangled eyes, ooh they send you down to war, Lord, and when you ask them, ‘how much should we give?’ They only answer more, more, more oh!” The use of this song in Forrest Gump when Gump is sent to Vietnam shows how popular of a protest song it was Lyrics imply that the military and war itself will take everything you have and still ask for more Released in 1969

“Draft Dodgers Rag” Written by Phil Ochs Released in 1965 The chorus goes, “Sarge, I’m only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen and I always carry a purse, I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt besides, I ain't no fool, I’m a-goin' to school and I'm working in a dee-fense plant.” Stated almost every reason available for being exempt from the draft Uses humor to convey the point that everyone should be attempting to get out of the draft Many thought it was funny, and interesting and therefore worked well as a protest song

“Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Written by Peter Seeger and Joe Hickerson Released in 1961 Some of the more important lyrics read, “Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards, everyone. Oh, when will they ever learn?” The inspiration for this song came to Joe Seeger while on a plane He read a passage that goes, “Where are the flowers, the girls have plucked them. Where are the girls, they've all taken husbands. Where are the men, they're all in the army.” He wrote part of the song which was later finished by Joe Hickerson