“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
Democracy
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
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
This is now, and we’re declaring it to be
What is called a democracy, permeated with Christianity
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
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
This is now, and we’re declaring it to be
What is called a democracy, permeated with Christianity
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
This is when.....what we call a democracy..... and what we call Christianity
Is an actuality.....with respect and decency.....with no inequality
By: D.J. Kiddo