National Mall protest 1967
photo by Bernie Boston
Images from those times
flicker across the screen:
flicker across the screen:
evolution, liberation
we were making the world new.
The music of those days
sings through my wayfarer's soul,
takes me back with a lump in my throat,
takes me back with a lump in my throat,
and my heart gently weeps*
for those long-gone hopeful days.
We came so close.
We thought we'd change the world.
The elders scoffed at our message,
and our music, but our hearts
were true.
were true.
Flower children, daisies in gun barrels,
Peace and Love, smiling hippies,
bare feet on Fourth Avenue,
patchouli wafting out the open windows.
The music of my youth
sings through my wayfarer's soul,
takes me back, with a lump in my throat,
and my heart gently weeps*
for those long-gone hopeful days
for those long-gone hopeful days
when, day by day, I sang the song
that was mine alone to sing.
* After the song by the same title. For my prompt on Wednesday at What's Going On? The Music of our Youth.
Oh yes, Sherry, those were the good old days of music, those days we still thought it was possible to change the world. It still is nice to sing those songs! Smiles.
ReplyDeleteThis really brings back The Concert For Bangladesh. Remember that? "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" Loved it....still.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really beautiful world to me Sherry, waiting to be explored.
ReplyDeleteMusic was more unifying in those days. It has lost some of its power...I think,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Sherry. I was only eleven in 1967 but I remember seeing images on the news and my parents always had music playing in our home. I was a late member of the hippy movement and I too thought we could change the world. I still love the scent of patchouli and joss sticks.
ReplyDeleteSo many songs with such vibrant, powerful lyrics. I am currently obsessed with In My Life by the Beatles. Thanks again for using my poem inspired by the loss of a guy who was changing the world.
ReplyDelete"The music of my youth
ReplyDeletesings through my wayfarer's soul,
takes me back, with a lump in my throat" Me too! Me too! How hopeful we were--and also fighting against a growing sense of fruitlessness in our hearts. Some seriously turned to drugs to find a better reality. I preferred to live in hope. You capture that here. I shed a few tears.
In 1985 loads of bands got together for Band Aid and Live Aid for the starving in Ethiopia. The punks saw this is as only a true bandaid: if you give someone bread they will eat for a day etc. Punk was angry and vivacious and saved my life. Capitalism and the struggle of daily life beat down idealism? Losses added up. Let's not let corrupt politicians steal our light....
ReplyDeleteI can see you listening to the music that changed the world. If only we could get ourselves to a place of healing. We need music that makes a difference and heals.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory..I am glad the music still resonates - Jae
ReplyDeleteThey were good times to be young and free with great music to match. Free to throw off the yoke of conformity....Thanks for a great prompt....Rall x
ReplyDeleteOh, God yes, Sherry. We sang our own songs, and yet our voices combined to create a single voice demanding change. Thanks for the G. Harrison line. I loved this. Memory Lane never had a better soundtrack. A
ReplyDeleteI think "bittersweet" if the word that comes to mind. Love it Sherry. annell
ReplyDeleteI was talking about those very things with someone yesterday. The thing to remember is that our generation did change many things - education, birthing practices, gay rights, women's rights, spirituality in western countries to name but a few.
ReplyDeleteWhoops I've done it again - that last comment is from Suzanne - Wordpress blog, wayfaring
ReplyDelete