POIGNANT PIECE OF POETIC PROTEST PACKS A POWERFUL PUNCH
(1) he did not sing about the cliches which country musicians are renowned for, like boozy one night stands, playing cards in Reno, Nevada or having a Mrs or hubby that is so bad they drive you to indulge in those particular pastimes and (2) his music was never really country most of the time, the odd exception being songs such as `Take Me Home Country Roads`.
Perhaps John Denver rarely performed the song live because he did not want to offend the hard of hearts in his audience, because another line half way through the three minute chant goes like this- and most men are ruthless but some will still weep when the gifts we were given are gone. And this, from young seals to great whales from waters to wood, they will fall just like weeds in
the wind.
But I am sure whatever the words are that they were directed at the callous butchers of the ocean who harpoon whales for a sick living.
Denver dabbled in all sorts of music, like folk, bluegrass, progressive keyboard and even straight out pop. He was no mug on a piano either, as `For You`, the beautiful song he wrote for ex-wife Cassandra Delaney in the late 80`s proved beyond any doubt.
Sadly, John Denver died in 1997 in an experimental light aircraft crash, but his leg-
acy lives on. One John Denver song that I always loved, but which not even the man himself played live for the majority of his career, was one he recorded in the 70`s based on a poem that was given to him by a man by the name of David Mallet.
acy lives on. One John Denver song that I always loved, but which not even the man himself played live for the majority of his career, was one he recorded in the 70`s based on a poem that was given to him by a man by the name of David Mallet.
The song is `You Say the Battle is Over`, an anti-whaling and anti-sealing protest song that should give anyone with even only half a conscience a few goosebumps.
I like the live version more than the original
studio one in the 70`s, which is featured on the John Denver Wildlife Concert album from 1995, when he finally got around to recording the song live.
studio one in the 70`s, which is featured on the John Denver Wildlife Concert album from 1995, when he finally got around to recording the song live.
The opening is a giant statement of intent, and you say the battle is over and finally war is all done, go tell it to those with the wind in their nose who run from the sound of the gun.
Referring specifically to whales and seals the whole song through and the macabre way in which they were hunted back then just like they still are now, the closing line is prophetic in the very essence, it goes with the wild in their eyes, it is they who must die, and we who will measure the cost.
Perhaps John Denver rarely performed the song live because he did not want to offend the hard of hearts in his audience, because another line half way through the three minute chant goes like this- and most men are ruthless but some will still weep when the gifts we were given are gone. And this, from young seals to great whales from waters to wood, they will fall just like weeds in
the wind.
After the end of the opening line, John Denver swings in hard with the line and go write it on the side of the great whaling ships, but I have never been able to decipher the words to the next line in the song.
But I am sure whatever the words are that they were directed at the callous butchers of the ocean who harpoon whales for a sick living.
If only there was a way of making the Japanese who butcher whales and dolphins listen to this song before they go and do their business, as well as the yobbos on the North American landmass who have a yearly ritual of whacking seals on the head for a bit of bloodsport.
The world really misses people like John Denver - doesn`t it!
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