FROM THE VAULT: PETE SEEGER

From Bytes November 24, 2012:

PETE SEEGER

Some lyrics from a Pete Seeger song . . . 

Click on the following link to watch him singing it or see the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdNQt4a6f7g

There are some worthwhile messages in there . . .

Old age is golden, or so I’ve heard said,

But sometimes I wonder, as I crawl into bed,

With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,

My eyes on the table until I wake up.

As sleep dims my vision, I say to myself:

Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?

But, though nations are warring, and Congress is vexed,

We’ll still stick around to see what happens next!

How do I know my youth is all spent?

My get-up-and-go has got up and went!

But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin

And think of the places my getup has been!

When I was young, my slippers were red;

I could kick up my heels right over my head.

When I was older my slippers were blue,

But still I could dance the whole night through.

Now I am older, my slippers are black.

I huff to the store and puff my way back.

But never you laugh; I don’t mind at all:

I’d rather be huffing than not puff at all!

How do I know my youth is all spent?

My get-up-and-go has got up and went!

But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin

And think of the places my getup has been!

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,

Open the paper, and read the Obits.

If I’m not there, I know I’m not dead,

So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed!

How do I know my youth is all spent?

My get-up-and-go has got up and went!

But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin

And think of the places my getup has been!

-----oOo-----

Peter "Pete" Seeger (1919 - 2014) is an American folk singer and songwriter. Well known from radio in the 1940’s, where he performed with Burl Ives, Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie, he was an early advocate for progressive causes which included racial integration, unionisation, workers’ and equal rights of all persons. As a member of the group The Weavers, there were a string of popular hits but the early 1950’s saw them blacklisted as part of the McCarthy Communist witchhunts.

Seeger’s popularity was revived in the 1960’s when he led the protest song movement, spearheading support for disarmament, civil rights and environmental causes. Seeger is also known for writing, or co-writing, Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, If I Had a Hammer and Turn, Turn, Turn. 

-----oOo-----

Film of him performing Amazing Grace at his 90th birthday concert can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovuP3vJO8lI

 

-----oOo-----