Holly Near is a gifted singer songwriter who has been around since the days of the Viet Nam war. Frequently touring with the very best folksingers she has never risen to the point where her name rolls off your tongue ala Joan Baez or Joni Mitchell or Emmy Lou Harris. She is frequently found hanging with Ronnie Gilbert from the Weavers. Well, here is an absolutely terrific song by Holly that I hope gives everyone pause to think. I am going to start with the lyrics because I cannot find the full song ala youtube or wherever anywhere. The lyrics are great but listening to this song drives the issue into your head (hope everyone understands that old sixties stuff). If you have not got a copy of this song I will shamelessly promote the album called This Train Still Runs, go buy it and listen to this dynamic duo.
Why Oh Why
words and Music by Holly Near
They say there was a baby
Born wit ha special calling
Laid him in a manger
And then took him before his time
And I want to know why oh why oh why
if you care about life, why don't you care about mine?
why oh why oh why
if you care about life don't you care about mine?
Look at all the babies
They ain't got no mangers
Lying in the doorways
And dying before their time
And I want to know why oh why oh why
if you care about life, why don't you care about mine?
why oh why oh why
if you care about life don't you care about mine?
Come along another baby
If I have it I can't feed it
I got to think about my other children
Six hungry ones in all
And I want to know why oh why oh why
if you care about life, why don't you care about mine?
why oh why oh why
if you care about life don't you care about mine?
Do you care about the babies
or just the wars that keep them hungry?
I'm lying in the back alley
And I'm thinking about my right to life
And I want to know why oh why oh why
if you care about life, why don't you care about mine?
why oh why oh why
if you care about life don't you care about mine?
So I died on Christmas morning
Leaving all my babies
Now they ain't got no mama
And ain't that a pity and a shame.
And I want to know why oh why oh why
if you care about life, why don't you care about mine?
why oh why oh why
if you care about life don't you care about mine?
What follows is a brief excerpt from the song (hope it works). It is a haunting song as it should be.
Many may ask why is he bringing up all this stuff now?! Can't he just stick to the Episcopal Church stuff and leave all that social stuff alone? The short answer is nope! I would like to think that this will change some minds but at the very least I hope it gives pause for those "logical" thinkers to re-think. The right to choose one's destiny is a God given right that cannot and should not and ought not be taken away. It is not our choice, it is not my choice, it isi not your choice, it is her choice.
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