Growing up in the wholesome, yet free wheeling 1970s, I was able to enjoy many things that would seem unheard of, to those who grew up in the increasingly conservative, and extremist 1980s and 1990s.<\/p>\n
One of these things was great hippie songs and movies, like The Legend of Billy Jack<\/u> and the song One Tin Soldier<\/b>, which we learnt in music class in grade three. This hippie classic song, along with others such It\u2019s a Small World after All<\/b>, and Put Your Hand in the Hand<\/b>, and I\u2019d like to Teach the World To Sing<\/b>, insured a generation of children would grow knowing all about the hopes, and dreams that exemplified Hippie philosophy.<\/p>\n
I was one of those children and really, really got it all. Love, peace, harmony- it all made sense to me. It makes sense as well, that after a couple of decades of hippie like drug use, and yuppie like drug treatment, I emerged as a clean and sober animal rights activist and social, environmental activist that I am today. Our childhood really marks us, and this song marked me more than any other.<\/p>\n
This song, with its chilling, terrifying and timeless message, and grim, sad yet wise outlook stuck in my heart. Recently I found it again and returned to my childhood, that golden age of innocence, hope, and growing political and social clouds, which were to prove, once again, the truth in it\u2019s lyrics: the sad reality that spans from Jesus\u2019 life, and death, to today\u2019s sad legacy of economic austerity, environmental devastation, envy, cruelty, and greed.<\/p>\n
I have changed the ending as it does ring the most true for me. Feel free to put your own ending in it as many can apply.<\/p>\n
Wisdom is simple, and so are human emotions. We need to understand that, and not let the power behind hate and ignorance stop us. This song may be chilling and sad, but the message is clear, and relevant. We are in a battle for our planet, our species and ourselves. Now more than ever, we need to understand this battle and work even harder to protect that we have, cherish and need.<\/p>\n
Listen, children, to a story<\/span> Growing up in the wholesome, yet free wheeling 1970s, I was able to enjoy many things that would seem unheard of, to those who grew up in the increasingly conservative, and extremist 1980s and 1990s. One of these things was great hippie songs and movies, like The Legend of Billy Jack and the song One…<\/p>\n
\nThat was written long ago,<\/span>
\n\u2018Bout a kingdom on a mountain<\/span>
\nAnd the valley-folk below.<\/span>
\nOn the mountain was a treasure<\/span>
\nBuried deep beneath the stone,<\/span>
\nAnd the valley-people swore<\/span>
\nThey\u2019d have it for their very own.<\/span>
\nGo ahead and hate your neighbor,<\/span>
\nGo ahead and cheat a friend.<\/span>
\nDo it in the name of Heaven,<\/span>
\nYou can justify it in the end.<\/span>
\nThere won\u2019t be any trumpets blowing<\/span>
\nCome the judgement day,<\/span>
\nOn the bloody morning after\u2026.<\/span>
\nOne tin soldier rides away.<\/span>
\nSo the people of the valley<\/span>
\nSent a message up the hill,<\/span>
\nAsking for the buried treasure,<\/span>
\nTons of gold for which they\u2019d kill.<\/span>
\nCame an answer from the kingdom,<\/span>
\n\u201cWith our brothers we will share<\/span>
\nAll the secrets of our mountain,<\/span>
\nAll the riches buried there.\u201d<\/span>
\nGo ahead and hate your neighbor,<\/span>
\nGo ahead and cheat a friend.<\/span>
\nDo it in the name of Heaven,<\/span>
\nYou can justify it in the end.<\/span>
\nThere won\u2019t be any trumpets blowing<\/span>
\nCome the judgement day,<\/span>
\nOn the bloody morning after\u2026.<\/span>
\nOne tin soldier rides away.<\/span>
\nNow the valley cried with anger,<\/span>
\n\u201cMount your horses! Draw your sword!\u201d<\/span>
\nAnd they killed the mountain-people,<\/span>
\nSo they won their just reward.<\/span>
\nNow they stood beside the treasure,<\/span>
\nOn the mountain, dark and red.<\/span>
\nTurned the stone and looked beneath it\u2026<\/span>
\n\u201cPeace on earth, a beautiful, clean healthy, just for all planet, love for animals, each other, and a healthy, vegan lifestyle and diet for all<\/i><\/b>\u201d is all it said<\/span>
\nGo ahead and hate your neighbor,<\/span>
\nGo ahead and cheat a friend.<\/span>
\nDo it in the name of Heaven,<\/span>
\nYou can justify it in the end.<\/span>
\nThere won\u2019t be any trumpets blowing<\/span>
\nCome the judgement day,<\/span>
\nOn the bloody morning after\u2026.<\/span>
\nOne tin soldier rides away.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"