The Eve Of Destruction

A song came out in the 60's(many did)full of ideals from people who were disillusioned with the world and what they could see was happening around them. Call the artists, performers, composers etc...what you will. Most I suspect were genuine. Some probably found that it was a way to make a living and used the general feeling of the time to further their careers. Some disappeared, others continued this crusade throughout the whole of their lives.

I cannot say that I know the song well. I do know that it was sung by Barry McGuire(once the distinctive voice of The New Christie Minstrels, some of you may remember Three Wheels On My Wagon and Green, Green)

I know it is talked of as a classic(who decides these things?)and comes up time and time again when the subject of protest songs is mentioned. I am sure that someone, somewhere is writing political/protest/idealistic songs even now but have they lost their importance?

With the explosion of television and radio channels. The increase of outlets for the printed word and the internet gives many, more than ever the chance to air their views.

As for the Eve of Destruction some of the conflicts mentioned at that time are still happening, some have come to end and some have been replaced by others. Were those mentioned, just short hand examples to make a point? Or do such people have an insight and now as forty one years have past by, we can say that this song writer was correct?

In the history of the world how long is the eve to an event? A hundred years, a thousand years, a million years?

And though we Humans might hurry the event along by our actions, when this planet that we live on and all the other aspects of the Universe plays its part, no matter what we do, when the time is up, its up. Then again, by nature or our action, the Earth may survive for millions of years without us actually being around. We may believe we are clever and manage to solve many problems but we also create as many.

And how many think of the conquences. You can start off at the simplest level, the youth who throws away a half eaten takewaway or can of pop where they stand all the way through to events on the world stage.

Conflict? Think about all the back biting that goes on in some families, the workplace, between neighbours, in volunteer organisations, in Parliament etc etc...and then expand it to a larger scale. And just as in personal relationships, some countries never fight, some fight over anything and some give in.

The song also says much much more. It was composed by Phil F. Sloan.

And with that here are some of the lyrics to that famous song.

The Eve Of Destruction

The eastern world

It is explodin'

Violence flaring, bullets loading

You're old enough to kill

But not for votin'

You don't believe in war

Then what's that gun you're totin'

When even the Jordan River has bodies floating

But you tell me

Over and over and over again my friend

You don't believe we're on

The Eve of Destruction

Don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say

Can't you feel the fear that I feel 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

You don't believe we're on

The Eve of Destruction

Phil F. Sloan

Barry McGuire