Song 13: The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Times They Are A-Changin' was written in 1964 and is about, uh, times changing. These changes range from political to ethnic. In the song, the author is pleading for society as a whole to embrace these changes arguing that if people dont change, they will lose their past and their future. I think that the way the author appealed to each specific group of society (writers, politicians, parents, etc) was very intelligent because it highlights the differences between them, celebrates that difference, yet encourages a new difference to evolve between each of these groups. I really thought this song had a good message, even though I didn't like that song itself. The fact that the author has to ask for an easy change tells me that people resisted the social and political changes occurring in America at this time.

Song 12: Youngstown

Youngstown is about the industrial center of Youngstown, written in 1995. This song tells a tale of a town turned into 'hell' for the sole purpose of feeding the machine of war. From the Civil War to the Vietnam War, Youngstown's people started wondering why these wars were fought and at what cost would America win at. This story is told by the son of a man who participated in many of these events, so I wouls say its both experienced and 2ndhand history. Nevertheless, this is my favorite song so far. Definitely the most modern, Youngstown helps me understand just a small taste of how people felt about America's wars and about the industrialization America underwent.

Song 11: A Change Is Gonna Come

A Change Is Gonna Come is a song about the Civil Rights Movement, written in 1964. This song describes the emotions and thoughts of an African American enduring the stresses of seperation from the rest of society. The author of this song tells his story starting from birth with a want for change and ending with what seems to be a desperate need for change. I am curious as to what the little river is though.. I could not find any metaphors for it but feel that there is more to it than meets the eye.. Anyways, I enjoyed this song because it seemed to be much more modern, slightly jazzy and upbeat. Plus, the singing was great and helped me get into the midset of troubles that befell those during the Civil Rights Movement.

Song 10: Strange Fruit

Strange Fruit is about the mistreatment of African Americans, written in 1939. It graphically depicts the hangings that took place, vividly describing the ghastly state at which blacks were killed. I find this song to be oddly telling. Though its words are fairly simple, I can sense a deeper level of conscience in this song. I find Strange Fruit interesting; I neither like it nor dislike it, but accept the fact tht it has a deeper appeal than I can understand at this time. Nevertheless, it does speak of the hardships endured by many blacks in earlier American history.

Song 9: Do Re Me

This song is basically a beatdown of the old south, written in 1937. The Dust Bowl is the area of the middle the United States that suffered from a severe drought around this time period which would cause a large migration to California. The author of this song is saying that if you don't have the do (aka cash), re, me (just catchy finishes), then California will not be the paradise expected. This song is actually a remake of the original, but the original seems to have been written while this was occuring and portrays these migrants as slightly detested by the locals and officials. I thought this song had strong lyrics but other that the lyrics, I was not pleased.

Song 8: Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is about, well, Jesus Christ, written in 1944. The song is a very elementary overview of His life and has almost no reference to anything but Jesus until the last verse. Here, He was depicted in New York, where He would have met the same fate as he had everywhere else. I think this is meant to say that, at this time in American history, New York City was an especially immoral and lawless place; a place where Jesus would be rejected.. so sad... O;. I can honestly say the only part of this song I liked was Jesus' name.

Song 7: Paddy's Lament

Paddy's Lament is about an Irish immigrant to America in the hopes of starting over with a new and prosperous life. It was written during the Civil War hence the 'murderin cannons' and violence. This song depicts America as a hellish, bloody, forsaken land. It also speaks of the conscription that occurred among immigrants and others. It is, again, a fairly straight-forward song that tells me quite plainly that America was not a pleasant place to live in during the Civil War and that the Irish thought lowly of America at this time. I actually enjoyed this song because not only the singing was good, but the lyrics were somewhat more modern.