One of the things you quickly learn as a philosopher is that things that fascinate you often fail to strike others as forcibly ( or at all!). Anxiously therefore, I have posted this in poetry (as well as song lyrics) because it raises some interesting (to me) questions about the distinction between poetry and song lyrics - especially cadence. For me at least, the more you look at good popular song lyrics (the original here was certainly good) the more respect one has for them.

Therefore, with respect for a great (and surely one of the longest) popular song. The parallels just seemed to work so well. It is surprising how much of the original can be left intact even with an altered theme.

I have tried hard to get the rhythm and especially the cadences right (though the familiar words have to be unlearned a bit) - that's where much of the work is. If anyone tries to sing this version - that would be great - I would like to know any line(s) you can't make play.

The Day America Died

A long long time ago
I can still remember that young leader with the golden smile
and I know if I had my way
that I'd go back to yesterday
and maybe we'd trust someone once again
but Nixon's lies made us shiver
with every vote that we'd deliver
his abuse of office
Forever robbed us of trust
I do remember good men cried
when they first heard JFK had died
and something touched us deep inside
the day America died.

So bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

Did he write the book of love
we know he had faith in God above
if the bible tells you so
we do believe in rock and roll
that music saves our mortal soul.
but can you teach me how to weep real slow?
Well I know we were in love with him
Cos since he died all the world's gone dim.
We lost our faith that day
man our trust just bled right away
Now I'm a stupid adult voting schmuck
conned by politicians who don't give a fuck
but we know we need more than luck
cos true America died.
I started singin'……………

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

Now for decades we've been on our own
our disbelief and our doubting grown
but that's not how it used to be
George the jester sings for corporate greed
ignorance that would make John's heart bleed
angry cries that come from you and me.
Oh and while the law was looking down
the jester stole the leader's crown
The courtroom was adjourned
no verdict was returned
and while Georgie read his comic books
Don and Dick played at being crooks
And we are angry being rooked
Since true America died.
We were singin…..

Bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

Helter skelter in a desert shelter
we all dusted off our fall out shelters
Eight miles high the bombers flew
killing men they never knew.
Shock and Awe the evil branded name
with the jester hiding guilty from the game.
we have won the war he cried out loud
while weeping children formed a crowd
brave men and women fought hard
but they never had a chance
as invaders they were in the wrong.
these native sons won't sing our song
and JFK knew right from wrong
but then America died
We started singin'……….

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

And there we are in the wrong place
a generation lost in space
and no heart left to start again.
So come on Jack be nimble Jack be quick
the jester is a venal prick
cos power is the devil's only friend
and as we watch him on the stage
our hands are clenched in fists of rage
no angel born in hell could break this Satan's spell
and as the flames climb high
in Baghdad's night to light the sacrificial rite
we see Satan laughing with delight
because America died
He is singin'…………

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

I met a ghost who sang the blues
and I asked him for some happy news
but he just wept and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
where we'd heard the real truth years before
but the ghost there said that old truth didn't play
and in the streets the children screamed.
the lovers cried but poets didnt dream
honest words were not spoken
the church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most
the Father Son and the Holy Ghost
they'd caught the last train for the coast
the day America died.
And they were singin'…….

So bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

They were singin'
bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

Zettel 2004