I have often posted about The Fiddle and the Drum, especially when it got listed as a least favorite by list members. I always loved this song in the Vietnam era. It was brave both lyrically and musically. Who else would have recorded an accapella song like it, but our Joan. The "My dear Johnny, my dear Friend," is especially poignant in today's world when those who are protesting are accused of being unpatriotic. It is a trick that Tricky Dick was most fond of.
Jerry -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Doug Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 8:22 PM To: JMDL Subject: w-word >From the Toronto Star interview: Instead her radios are tuned to talk stations offering news flashes and political commentary, which all seem like madness to her. "I wander through my house trying to get a picture of what is happening to the human psyche," she says in a tone that's both perplexed and angry. That would be enough to send anyone off the deep end. She should come here and talk to us, we don't talk about the w-word ( on Joni-only ). >From my perspective as an outsider (Canadian), She described the situation herself perfectly well in 1968 with her lament, The Fiddle and the Drum. And so once again My dear Johnny my dear friend And so once again you are fighting' us all And when I ask you why You raise your sticks and cry, and I fall Oh, my friend How did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum You say I have turned Like the enemies you've earned But I can remember All the good things you are And so I ask you please Can I help you find the peace and the star Oh, my friend What time is this To trade the handshake for the fist And so once again Oh, America my friend And so once again You are fighting us all And when we ask you why You raise your sticks and cry and we fall Oh, my friend How did you come To trade the fiddle for the drum You say we have turned Like the enemies you've earned But we can remember All the good things you are And so we ask you please Can we help you find the peace and the star Oh my friend We have all come To fear the beating of your drum Joni Mitchell 1968 If anyone has personal opinions on the w-word please use NJC. Doug
