Best Anti-War songs?

[RACooper]

Originally posted by honeychile
Was that pro-Jacobite or not? I know that the whole area was full of war at the time!

Firmly Jacobite - the blue bonnet was the defacto uniform of the Jacobite supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Sir Walter Scott even penned some lyrics for it ~ which is how I know the song... interesting fact it appeared on Little House on the Prarie sung by Laura Ingolls... it's also the Regimental Quick March for the Calgary Highlanders up here in Canada

[KillarneyRose]

Coven's "One Tin Soldier"

I wouldn't call it anti-war although some could take it that way, but I love SSgt. Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Beret. I remember it was one of my dad's favorites when I was little (he was in the 82nd Airborne before he got married)

How can you not lget a kick out of a song with lyrics like:
"Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Berets "

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
I wouldn't call it anti-war although some could take it that way, but I love SSgt. Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Beret.

I'd say it was more pro-war than anti. At the end, the soldier is killed, but asks his wife to be sure his son becomes Special Forces.

"Back at home a young wife waits.
Her Green Beret has met his fate.
He has died for those oppressed,
Leaving her his last request.

Put Silver Wings on my son's chest.
Make him one of America's best...

...Have him win The Green Beret."

It is a good song, though. Unfortunately, SSgt. Sadler, who later became an officer, committed suicide some years ago.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'd say it was more pro-war than anti. At the end, the soldier is killed, but asks his wife to be sure his son becomes Special Forces.

I gotta admit I'd never considered the song to be anti-war... I'd always seen it as being a firmly pro-war song - probibly because I associate it with that horrible John Wayne film.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by RACooper
I gotta admit I'd never considered the song to be anti-war... I'd always seen it as being a firmly pro-war song - probibly because I associate it with that horrible John Wayne film.

Yeah, I think KR alludes to that in her original post -- it not being anti-war anyway.

You're right, bad film.

I'm trying to remember a Motown song with anti-war leanings. Our college marching band actually did a "peace sign" formation while playing it which was pretty daring at a state supported school in those days. I'm sure it will come to me sometime. Maybe.

The director went on to the University of Oklahoma and used the song -- but without the formation. Maybe a little too daring for Soonerland.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm trying to remember a Motown song with anti-war leanings. Our college marching band actually did a "peace sign" formation while playing it which was pretty daring at a state supported school in those days. I'm sure it will come to me sometime. Maybe.

The only Motown one I can think of is the one Jill1228 mentioned already - Marvin Gaye's - What's Going On

or perhaps you're thinking of Norman Whitfield & Edwin Starr's - War? (it had a marchin beat to it, so it'd be easier for a band to pull off)

But I just thought of another song I left off:
Buffalo Springfield's - For What Its Worth

[RACooper]

Originally posted by honeychile
I defy anyone to listen to the entire song without getting weepy.

I could issue the same challenge for the Pogues song I listed ~ I've seen that song silence and sobber many army parties (Canadian, Brit, Aussie) and Irish pubs... I find it so impactful because of the lyrical content, coupled with tradition 'Celtic' lamment ballad format.