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This is a cross-university blog project between the University of South Carolina - Upstate and Clemson University for the Fall 2007 semester.
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27 comments:
P.F. Sloan/Barry McGuire – “Eve of Destruction” (1965)
The eastern world, it is exploding
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’
You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, 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 fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave
[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction
Mm, no no, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
What’s up guys?
My name is Scotty, and I’m a freshman at Clemson University. I am undeclared for my major, but I am considering going into architecture next semester.
When I was reading P.F. Sloan/ Barry McGuire’s song lyrics for “Eve of Destruction”, I noticed right away that it was a war-protest song that was most likely directed towards the Vietnam War. His title was appropriate for this song, not only because he said it several times in the song, but also because his beliefs, mentioned in the song, on how war will bring an end to the world matched up with the title. I also thought it was interesting how he made a several references to hypocrisy in our culture, for example by saying, “You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’”, and “hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace.” He also made it very clear that hate is the source for all wars, as well as the biggest reason for why he feels that we’re nearing the world’s end. Finally, I wanted to mention how he made references to negligence when it comes to finding other solutions for peace amongst other nations. I believe that he views our country as irrational, because he makes reference to his “friend” four times about how he doesn’t believe that wars will bring us to “the eve of destruction.”
What did you guys think about it?
Scotty Wolber, 21
Hey y’all! I'm Jessie, and I am a freshman at Clemson University. I am undeclared, but I am hoping to pursue a career as a radiologist. I’m just not sure what I science I want to major in yet.
The poem “Eve of Destruction” by P.F. Sloan and Barry McGuire instantly caught my attention. The title alone sparks interest as you read the “eve of destruction”. I believe the title foreshadows in the poem the world's chaos and destruction during the Vietnam War. The purpose of the poem is to show an anti-war view. The third line in the first paragraph: “You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’” immediately shows the skepticism about the war. This view is often presented when society debates past wars; the fact that children have to go to war and kill people yet they can not vote for the leaders of their country is unjust. The refrain: “you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction” also demonstrates the cynical attitude against the war. There are clear examples in the poem that show the world is on an eve of destruction, such as “the world in a grave”, “human respect is disintegratin’”, and “hate your next-door neighbor”.
Do y’all agree?
Jessie Bowers, 21
Hello everyone! My name is Brittany Ellett and I am a first semester freshmen at Clemson University. My major is Landscape Architecture.
"Eve of Destruction" is a very powerful song with a lot of powerful messages behind it. The title fits very well because during the Vietnam War, I'm sure that everyone affected was scared that they were going to lose everything. War is a tragic thing to experience and it affects so many people from the soldiers to their families.
I think the author feels that the war is going to eventually leave everyone around them dead. He feels that with all the violence going around, no one will be saved and nothing will be left. I believe the mood he wants to portray is very melancholy and dark, just as war is perceived to be.
I also think the author is trying to address segregation when he states "take a look around Selma, Alabama". In the deep south during the sixties, prejudice was a huge issue. He also says "hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace". This, to me, is another representation of hate crimes and prejudice during the time period.
What do ya'll think?
Brittany Ellett, 60
Hey everyone, my name is Kayla Brady. I am a freshman from USC Upstate and I am majoring in nursing.
To me, this poem represents the contempt that the majority of youth in America had for our government. Not only did they not trust authority, but they resented any attempt by the government to force them to defend something that they did not believe in. This is evident in the words: “senators don’t pass legislation…human respect is disintegratin’…this whole crazy world is just too frustratin,’ where the author expresses those feelings.
The ultimate fear, however, is the “button:” the idea that one could set off a destructive chain reaction that could possibly end the world. The fact that the “super powers” at the time had the weaponry to annihilate each other gave fear and credence to that idea.
The author also points out the hypocrisy in the war being fought to protect us against communism. He compares communism in Red China with the racial hatred in Selma, Alabama. In his mind, he apparently cannot see how one is worst than the other.
Hey everyone, my name is Kayla Brady. I am a freshman from USC Upstate andI am majoring in nursing.
To me, this poem represents the contempt that the majority of youth in America had for our government. Not only did they not trust authority, but they resented any attempt by the government to force them to defend something that they did not believe in. This is evident in the words: “senators don’t pass legislation…human respect is disintegratin’…this whole crazy world is just too frustratin,’ where the author expresses those feelings.
The ultimate fear, however, is the “button:” the idea that one could set off a destructive chain reaction that could possibly end the world. The fact that the “super powers” at the time had the weaponry to annihilate each other gave fear and credence to that idea.
The author also points out the hypocrisy in the war being fought to protect us against communism. He compares communism in Red China with the racial hatred in Selma, Alabama. In his mind, he apparently cannot see how one is worst than the other.
Kayla Brady 30
Hi. This is Ke'Irra. While reading the words to this song, I actually could visually see the faces of Vietnam soilders. A look of longingness painted upon their face. Their Nationality almost effaced. Their desire to be with their families is made known. I could even hear the cries of their loved ones back home. (This is what I get for being a visual learner). But I do think that this song is very well written. It's saying that I've served my time here and it seems worthless to be here any longer. The writer also writes about the many souls that were lost in this war. In the chorus, where he says "Set off the mighty mushroom roar", this was a very atracting part to me. It gives me a picture of the atomic bomb and after it is dropped, the smoke rises in the shape of a mushroom and creates a very loud roar. Overall, this song was very well written, and delivers it's view of anti-Vietnam very clearly. I enjoyed reading it.
Hey guys, I'm Josh Churchill and a freshmen hear at Clemson. My major is financial management. I really like the message behind this song and especially how the author shared their feeligns through it. They make evrey storung comments through lyrics like, "you're old enoguh to kill, but not for votin'" and, "you don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totiin'". These lyrics really get the reader thinking about whether or not this war should really be fought. Some of the men and women arn't even old enough yet to vote, yet thye are putting their lives on the line for a country they can't decide the president of. Many of these people fighting as well don't even want to be there. They say they are against the war in which they are fighting in, yet they are forced to tote around a gun they don't want to have. many times these songs of the 1960's had so many more meanigns behind just what the lyrics in the song were about. The words the authors use really touch the heart of the reader and make them think about whether or not this war should even be fought.
Overall, I think our group complies with one another's feelings about the song. The lyrics "You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’”, and “hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace”, were often used as references to show the authors opinion on war. I believe that Jess Bowers was very correct in the fact that “you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction” demonstrated the author's cynical attitude towards war. He does not enjoy war and is truly frightened by it. Ke'Irra made a point that I did not even notice about the mushroom cloud. I believe is correct in saying that lyric was a reference to atomic war. It is very frightening to think that everything we have can all be destroyed in an instant by the push of a button. I could picture the war and all of the soldiers when Ke'Irra described it. I really believed it would have helped the argument the author was making if he included graphics.
Hello everyone!
My name is Denita Badger, and I'm a freshman at USC Upstate. I am a Biology/ Pre-Physical Therapy major, but I also want to be a Biomedical Sales Representative.
I thought the poem "Eve of Destruction" by P.F. Sloan/Barry McGuire had to be a very personal song for the both of them , by reading it you can tell that they're anti-war. When it says " We're on the eve of destruction" , I interpret it as them saying that we have forgotten our values as a country and that war can only lead to death, slaughter, and demolition, which are all co- definitons of destruction. "Hate your neighbor next door,but don't forget to say grace..." , in this part of the song I believe that the people they are referring to are contradicting themselves, because in the Bible it says to love thy neighbors , so how can you follow the bible and pray and not love and respect one another?
Denita B , 30
Hey! I am Jasmine Hill. I am a freshman nursing major at USC Upstate.
I really enjoyed reading the lyrics to the song. I feel they are very powerful and it seems to convey the thoughts of a soldier and the distress he endured. It is very crazy how our government can make the soldiers fight in a war they don't even believe in. I really took notice to the line "no world to save with people in the grave". Its like how are you supposed to be heros if you are killing people. I don't believe we should settle our difference by fighting so these lyrics hit really close to home with me.
Hey y’all. My name is Aaron Bowen, and I am a freshman at Clemson University. I haven’t decided on a major yet, so I am currently undeclared.
The resentment toward the Vietnam War and the current state of the country is evident all throughout this song. Phrases such as “you’re old enough to kill, but not for voting” shows the disapproval of the war as well as legal voting age for this country. Other areas of the song such as the comment about Selma, Alabama show the writer’s disapproval of other issues in the country such as racism and equal rights. The song expresses intense emotion about the situation of the world and our country at this point in history. The song is used as a warning that the world and our country is on the brink of destruction if changes aren’t made. When watching a video of Barry McGuire performing this song on you tube, I saw that he was just as passionate about singing the song as the intense message the song conveys. This song is a great representation of many American’s feelings at this point in time and the passion they felt about the issues the country was facing.
Aaron Bowen, 33
Back at it again y’all:
We are all on the same page about the poem. We deemed “Eve of Destruction” as an anti-war poem in which the author, P.F. Sloan/Barry McGuire, uses excellent points to show the negativity of the war. The majority of our group members pointed out in the poem how we send people into war that are not adults normally, but we make them adults by placing a loaded gun into their hands. We do not see the people in the poem having any love or respect for their neighbors due to, “Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace.” Although these are all excellent points, the one argument that stands out to me was made by both Josh Churchill and Jasmine Hill, stating the people are fighting a war in which we do not want to take a part. This speaks volumes about how the country thought and how the government worked in the sixties, and it shows how far we have come as a nation.
Jessie Bowers, 21
How’s it goin guys?
I think all of you guys did a good job of looking over the poem. I thought that Denita’s thoughts of the poem were very similar to mine. She discussed the hypocrisy mentioned in the poem, and used the same line as me to show that too. Also, I mentioned how the line, “We’re on the Eve of Destruction” was used several times in the poem to show importance, and Denita wrote on discussed the importance of that line too. I also felt that Kayla made some really good points too by explaining the meaning of the “button”, and she explained the hypocrisy aspect even more. When I read the poem I just looked over the word “button” and didn’t think much of it. But since she explained the button as a trigger for a chain reaction, I now realize that it was an import word in the poem. Also, I liked how Kayla explained the hypocrisy in the line comparing Red China with Selma, AL.
Scotty Wolber, 21
Hey guys,
I agree completely with what we have decided the topic of the poem is. It is definetly an anti-war message filled with alot of little jabs at the idea of war. I agree completely with Scotty when they said this song is all about how war is only brought upon by hate. Especially in the line, "hate your next door neighbor". This is what war is all about, hate. I also agree with Denita when she said that this song portrays how we have lost our values and morals when it comes to war. It has turned into a money hungry, hate filled act of violence and it is usually covered up with an excuse of why we are even fighting.
What’s happening folks? I definitely thought there were some good points made about the song. I think it’s safe to say that we’re all in agreement that this song is a protest to the Vietnam War. I agree with Denita that this song was probably very personal to P.F. Sloan and Barry McGuire, and I thought this personal connection to the song was apparent when watching McGuire perform the song. I also like the point that Kayla made about the song writer comparing communism in China to racism in America to show how hypocritical the United States was during this war. This point reminds me of a verse in the Bible, Mathew 7:3, which says, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”. I think in some ways this is what America was doing at this point in history. We seemed to want to fix the problems of the world, when all along we had major issues such as racism to deal with here in our own country.
Aaron Bowen, 33
Hey Guys!
I think all of us are pretty much on the same page when it comes to interpreting what this song/poem means to us. I agree with Scotty and Josh by saying that all wars are basically based on hate. Nothing good ever becomes of war. We make enemies and people die for fighting a war that they don't even believe in. I also agree with Aaron when he says that America is wanting to fix world issues, when we have problems occuring within our own country, such as racism. I think that we should put the issues in our country first and put the rest of them on hold.
Denita B., 30
Hey guys sorry I'm late... I'm Greg Smith; I'm an engineering major at Clemson University.
I think that its clear in this song the author is fed up with the world he lives in. The lines are clear and the point of the song is given not through metaphors but through the mapping of inconsistencies in our world's moral structure. In the song, "You" is repeated constantly, where the you seems very informal. This is the global you, and it reinforces the idea of frustration. The author is so frustrated at the world for all its shortcomings that he bursts into a very emotional father figure, trying to lead his "children" away from the defective norms they have settled for.
After reading all your posts, I think we definitely all found the key points to the author's argument against the world's flaws; however, I do think some of us may be putting too much emphasis on the war aspect of the song. I mean, the author clearly protests war, but it seems to me almost more of a breaking point than a focus point. I feel that the author uses war as a way to grab attention of his audience and get their agreement so that he might also bend their opinions to his own on other topics (segregation, etc).
Greg Smith 69
Hello everyone!
I think everyone is in agreement that this song is anti-war. I feel that Denita had a very strong point on the neighbors. It's sad that you can hate someone that lives beside you, yet you can sit down and say grace to our God. Our God would want us to respect our neighbors. I also agree that this song is very personal to the writers, and it's obvious they were alive and old enough to understand what was going on around them. I think many people have the same outlook on the war that they did, and can probably relate to this song.
Kayla Brady, 30
One last time y’all:
Since we have established that we all agree with each other on the anti-war theme, I decided to use an anti-war song from 1968. Kebrady brought up the point about the poem being personal from a knowledgeable point of view. This point can also be brought up from my song choice. It is about a man who went into war, not wanting to kill people. Since he refused, the government brought him to court. The main point is the man in my song repeats how he knows he is right and that other people agree with him. Also Denita B pointed out that all wars are based on hate in which my song also points out. The man says our U.S. government judges other countries yet we also kill, which is hate and a bad sin as well.
I DON'T STAND ALONE (PERRY FRIEDMAN) (1968):
My Name is David Mitchell,
I am twenty two years old,
I refuse to fight in Vietnam,
And that's a crime, I'm told.
I refuse to kill in Vietnam
Good folks like my own,
And I know I'm in the right, judge,
And I don't stand alone.
The U. S. judge in Nuremberg
Who judged the Nazi crimes
Said killing's just as bad a sin
When it's done six million times,
I wouldn't do it once, judge,
I never could atone,
And I know I'm in the right, judge,
And I don't stand alone.
I saw the moving pictures
Of homes in napalm flames,
I saw men burning children,
Men with American names.
To fly those wicked missions,
I'd never leave my home,
And I know I'm in the right, judge,
And I don't stand alone.
They dragged me in this courtroom
'Cause I won't play their game,
I won't burn peaceful villages,
Won't torture, gas, or maim.
Thou shalt not kill, the Lord said,
That's what I learned at home,
And I know I'm in the right, judge,
And I don't stand alone.
http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/idont.html
Jessie B, 21
What up guys?
I’m glad that we all think that we’re on the same track. I liked how Greg, explained how the word “you” had a significance in the song, because I never would have thought of that. I also like how he helped clear up the meaning of the song by saying that the war wasn’t the major theme in the song, but only a way to get the reader’s attention. I also liked Josh’s last sentence explaining that the driving force is money, and how the war was covered up with a fake purpose. My alternative representation of this poem is another song titled “It Better End Soon” by Robert Lamm, http://www.jwsrockgarden.com/jw02vvaw.htm. I feel that this song relates well to the song “Eve of Destruction”, because it talks a lot about hatred, and how the world is reaching complete disorder.
Scotty Wolber, 21
Kayla Jessie Hey guys, one more time around haha. I still agree with what everyone says about the anti-war message and all of the things stated about the messages inside the poem. I would like to focus on what Kayla and Jessie as well as what I talked about the people fighting who don't want to. The men and women who have no say in whether or not they fight, yet they are thrown into battle and expected to perform. My link is a a picture of the war in Iraq. It has a car bomb, a roadside bomb and the worst kind of bomb, a time bomb. The child represents a child who will one day grow up and may have to fight in a war they either know nothing about or not care anythign about. Every child now and even young adult is just a time bomb ticking until their turn to fight may come around. Then these children become apart of what this poem is talking about. http://the-wawg-blog.org/wp-images/04-2007/time_bomb.jpg
Josh Churchill 60
Hey guys!!
I have really enjoyed reading your ideas about this song. Some of the points you have made, i missed. I also liked the songs and pictures you added. They definitely relate to this topic.
In conclusion, this song was obviously from the anti-war point of view. The pro-war group, including the government, thought that the war would defeat communism, which they felt at the time was a threat to world peace. So, in a way, both sides believed that what they were opposing was an inevitable Armageddon. Unfortunately, both sides were wrong and the truth was, as usually, somewhere in the middle.
Kayla Brady, 30
Hey folks. I just wanted to drop in one last time and make a couple of remarks about the song. I think everyone brought up some good points. This song is very clearly meant to be a cry for change regarding not only the Vietnam War but other issues the country was facing at the time such as racism. I thought Greg made a good point when he commented that this song is not solely about the war, but it seems that the war is just the final straw that spurred the author to write the song. The song is a warning that the end of the world is imminent if change is not made. I chose a picture that I think conveys the basic meaning of this song wrapped up in one mage. It was taken during the Vietnam War and has since then been given the honor a Pulitzer Prize.
http://www.gallerym.com/work.cfm?ID=280
Aaron Bowen, 33
www.peacesymbol.org/.../img/peace_symbol_6.gif
Hey guys!! Sorry I'm late. I chose this picture because I thought it conveyed the writer's wants for the world at the time. The picture shows that America needed to unite as a nation and live in peace. The war was only hurting people and their families and communities. The author felt that if we did not have peace soon, we would all suffer and possibly lose everything the we, as Americans had worked so hard for.
Thanks for all the help on the song guys. You all pointed out new and interesting things to me that I did not realize alone. This collaboration has been great and I enjoyed working with everyone.
Brittany E., 60
I did like all of your opinions on the song and it seems like we all really had the same fundamental idea of the meaning. Just thought I might mention that if you ever watch a video of this being performed (YouTube), its very obvious the amount of emotion being shown. This further shows the author's frustration and sadness with the ignorant ways of the world. The recording reminded me of a couple of other songs that I know of as far as emotional frustration go. The two that I thought of were Traffic in the Sky by Jack Johnson and Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer. Both songs express frustration at the state of the world and specifically that the people in charge of running the world don't seem to be doing anything to change it.
That’s all.
Greg Smith, 69
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