[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Lets hope Don McLean was not a psychic channeling future events when he wrote this song.

I never thought about these lyrics in terms of mirroring what was actually happening. But now.....I have to agree with you.

[pandoraou812]

It does seem to fit these times sadly. But there is hope & prayers! I am saying lots of them these days.

[Eleutherios]

“Lets hope Don McLean was not a psychic channeling future events when he wrote this song.”

***

Don McLean, i understand, scribbled American Pie
in a Saratoga Springs tavern
... and then staggered down the street to the Caffe Lena coffeehouse,
where he gave its premiere performance.

[hellbender]

McLean was a folkie-leftie influenced by Pete Seeger, and his lyrics refer rather specifically to events in pop culture of the late 60s-early 70s. The jester is Bob Dylan, the birds are the Byrds, the King is Elvis, Jack Flash is Mick Jagger, etc.

A poem which really captures the ominous state of our culture today (although it was inspired by events at the close of WW I) is Yeats' Second Coming:

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.