“Democracy”: A 1960’s Protest Song

 

Note: To hear this 1960’s-era song performed by present-day Ottawa musician Jim McDowell, readers may open the Internet and click on: https://soundcloud.com/jim-mcdowell/democracy

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Democracy

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One plane shot down from the sky

One tear falls from a mother’s eye

For a boy who was forced to fight in a war he believed to be quite unjust

In a war where the barbarous killing left him filled with complete disgust

 

This is now, and we’re declaring it to be

What is called a democracy, permeated with Christianity

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Suns rise for those who can get along

Suns set for those who don’t belong

For all the “second-class citizens” who may never cross the line

For the suffering, persecuted millions who are looking for some sign

Of change.......of hope.......of better times, ahead

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This is now, and we’re declaring it to be

What is called a democracy, permeated with Christianity

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How much can conscience abide

How long can it be justified

When will lives no longer be wasted fighting battles to no ends,

When will people come to know on their compassion, the attainment, of freedom and peace

depends

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This is when, what we call a democracy, and what we call Christianity

Is an actuality, with respect and decency, with no inequality

Moving forward peacefully, in all our diversity

And then we’ll have, a true democracy

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This is now, and we’re declaring it to be

What is called a democracy, permeated with Christianity

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How much...... can...conscience abide

How long..........can it be justified

When will lives no longer be wasted fighting battles to no ends

When will people come to know on their compassion.....the attainment.....of freedom and peace

depends

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This is when.....what we call a democracy..... and what we call Christianity

Is an actuality.....with respect and decency.....with no inequality

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By: D.J. Kiddo