THIS ONE DOES IT FOR ME!

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A Thought for Today

As war is but a breath away from peace, so too contentment is the last door entered.

Ken,

I was playing Rod's 1969 concert album the other day and thought that "The Things Men Do" is as meaningful today as it was back then. Unfortunately, we haven't learned anything in the last 30 years and it still makes me cry to see what some men do to each other.

Maybe this could be put out to remind everyone.

Thanks.

LJSZW

Thanks for this timely reminder, LJSZW. With all the tragic events we've experienced since September 11 the sentiments expressed in this song really strike a chord, don't they?

I've noted with interest that Larry King has taken to closing each  show with a patriotic song performed by various artists. I so enjoyed seeing Judy Collins  perform "Amazing Grace" the other night and wouldn't it be wonderful to see Rod sing "The Things Men Do" one day?

By the way, LJSZW, the 1969 Carnegie Hall concert album you mentioned is one that's due for release on CD hopefully sometime next year. This time around it will include all the tracks that were included on the original vinyl double album as well as some previously unreleased material. I can't wait!

If you have a favorite McKuen song or poem you'd like to share with us, drop me a line at ken@mckuen.com and I'll make sure your contribution gets an airing right here one Wednesday.

 - Ken, Johannesburg, November 28

Let him who shouts the war cry first stand in the front of invading armies.

Old men legislate the wars; the young are left to trip the trigger in the battles.

THE THINGS MEN DO

Every street’s a battlefield and every door’s a jail
and never the sword and not the shield
can starve the widow’s wail.
I cannot understand, I cannot understand,
why freedom stumbles in our land.

It makes me cry to see the things some men do to one another
makes me cry to see the things some men do.

Every road’s a bitter road and songs are only songs
and when in churches children kneel
they cannot right the wrong.
I cannot understand, I cannot understand,
why terror rumbles in our land.

It makes me cry to see the things some men do to one another
makes me cry to see the things some men do.

Every night’s a lonesome night that lasts a lonesome year
and torches all the brighter burn
and burn away the fear.
I cannot understand, I cannot understand,
why freedom stumbles in our land.

It makes me cry to see the things some men do to one another
makes me cry to see the things some men do.

 - from the album "Sold Out - Rod McKuen Live at Carnegie Hall", 1969