The Ghost of '60's Past

Christmas.

And everybody and his dog is puking forth an obligatory “Christmas Album” with the same, sad cliché tunes filled with forced merriment.

Let’s face it: when Bob F’ing Dylan puts out a Christmas Album, it’s all over, Daddy-o.

Thanks a lot, Bob.

But, hey, don’t think twice, it’s all right.

So here’s a “Christmas song” for you.

A version of it done by COVEN made it into the soundtrack of what may be my all-time favorite film, a low-budget masterpiece called BILLY JACK.

The song, and the film, are just as good today as when they were first released.

The truth never goes out of style.

sj

Hear the original version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7jHp7OchP0&feature=related

ONE TIN SOLDIER

Listen, children, to a story

That was written long ago,

'Bout a kingdom on a mountain

And the valley-folk below.

On the mountain was a treasure

Buried deep beneath the stone,

And the valley-people swore

They'd have it for their very own.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,

Go ahead and cheat a friend.

Do it in the name of Heaven,

You can justify it in the end.

There won't be any trumpets blowing

Come the judgement day,

On the bloody morning after....

One tin soldier rides away.

So the people of the valley

Sent a message up the hill,

Asking for the buried treasure,

Tons of gold for which they'd kill.

Came an answer from the kingdom,

"With our brothers we will share

All the secrets of our mountain,

All the riches buried there."

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,

Go ahead and cheat a friend.

Do it in the name of Heaven,

You can justify it in the end.

There won't be any trumpets blowing

Come the judgement day,

On the bloody morning after....

One tin soldier rides away.

Now the valley cried with anger,

"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"

And they killed the mountain-people,

So they won their just reward.

Now they stood beside the treasure,

On the mountain, dark and red.

Turned the stone and looked beneath it...

"Peace on Earth" was all it said.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,

Go ahead and cheat a friend.

Do it in the name of Heaven,

You can justify it in the end.

There won't be any trumpets blowing

Come the judgement day,

On the bloody morning after....

One tin soldier rides away.