Powerful John Denver song "Let Us Begin" on Youtube

[oregonjen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKkIUhGpbF4

Please watch this video!
John Denver wrote this in 1986 and was able to record it with the Russian singer Alexander Gradsky. A very moving song that needs to be heard today.

Let Us Begin (What are we making weapons for?)

I am the son of a grassland farmer
Western Oklahoma nineteen forty three
I always felt grateful to live in the land of the free
I gave up my father to South Korea
The mind of my brother to Vietnam
Now theres a banker who says I must give up my land
There are four generations of blood in this topsoil
Four generations of love on this farm
Before I give up I would gladly give up my right arm

What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for

I had a son and my son was a soldier
He was so like my father, he was so much like me
To be a good comrade was the best that he dreamed he could be
He gave up his future to revolution
His life to a battle that just cant be won
For this is not living, to live at the point of a gun
I remember the nine hundred days of Leningrad
The sound of the dying, the cut of the cold
I remember the moments I prayed I would never grow old

What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for

For the first time in my life I feel like a prisoner
A slave to the ways of the powers that be
And I fear for my children, as I fear for the for the future I see
Tell me how can it be were still fighting each other
What does it take for a people to learn
If our song is not sung as a chorus, we surely will burn

What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for

Have we forgotten
All the lives that were given
All the vows that were taken
Saying never again
Now for the first time
This could be the last time
If peace is our vision
Let us begin

Have we forgotten
All the lives that were given
All the vows that were taken
Saying never again, never again
Now for the first time
This could be the last time
If peace is our vision
Let us begin, let us begin

Words and music by John Denver

[silverlib]

1. Incredible...

I just downloaded it.

Thanks!

[FloridaPat]

3. How do you download it?

[silverlib]

4. I downloaded it from ITunes

for $.99. I read on DU today that I should boycott them - something to do with Disney.

I am a big boycotter - no Walmart, and I only buy things made in China if there is absolutely no alternative.

But I just can't give up my ITunes.

[IndyOp]

2. More! More!

I teach in a college town in a red state and every kid I see walk by with long hair cheers me up - every CSNY song - every Bob Marley t-shirt - every peace sign - every eco bumper sticker.

The return of John D is a good sign!

:-)

[oregonjen]

5. Have you seen this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASupX8J4vck

"Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream" and "The Peace Poem?" I truly miss John Denver. He left us too early.

[NotGivingUp]

7. OMG...I've got the chills and tears in my eyes...I feel a new inspiration.

[NotGivingUp]

6. Great song by a great person. Always loved John Denver...always will.

[LWolf]

8. I've got this one, and have always loved it.

I'm an unrepentant life-long fan. Did you see OPB's recent special, "John Denver: A Songs Best Friend?" It airs again on Sunday.

http://www.opb.org/programs/program.php?id=17823

[NotGivingUp]

9. Faaar Out!!! Thanks so much for posting this. I will be sure to watch...

life-long fan here, too!

[oregonjen]

10. Yes, I saw it last week, during pledge week. I loved hearing Annie talk.

I'm a life-long fan as well. Thanks to an angel, I had the opportunity to meet him when I was in Japan, after a concert in 1988. I will always remember how special he made me (a rambling youngster) feel.
I still don't understand why Jacques Cousteau, Princess Diana, George Burns, Mother Theresa and John Denver left us in 1997. John would be so sick to see where we are today.

[LWolf]

11. He would be.

I wonder what he'd be singing about current events.

[soup]

12. Can't recommend - your post has been here more than 24 hrs.

Would if I could. Thank you so much for sharing this. What a voice he had, what a gift he was.

Rest in peace, gentle soul.