‘Eve of Destruction’: Barry McGuire’s Fiery Protest Anthem

Udiscovermusic ^ | Tim Dillinger

[cpdiii]

The songs words about the “Eve of destruction” were 100 percent correct. What the song failed to mention is total annihilation of the enemy will prevent this destruction nor who should be destroyed.

[cpdiii]

I forgot to add. My Friend Charles name is on the wall. He was just a soldier doing his duty in Saigon as it fell. He left a wife and child.

[11th_VA]

Great song - can’t believe he’s turning 90 …

[T.B. Yoits]

"Eve of Destruction" written by P.F. Sloan, sung by Barry McGuire

The Eastern world, it is explodin'
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill, but not for votin'
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin'

But you tell me over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say?
And can't you feel the fears I'm feelin' today?
If the button is pushed, there's no runnin' away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy

And you tell me over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation
Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'

And you tell me over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space
But when you return, it's the same old place
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace

And tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

No, no, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction

[ansel12]

“”””Eve of Destruction was released in mid-1965, and obviously it was written earlier. So many of the things people think this song references actually happened later.””””

I don’t think so, they were all real at the time, which ones would you say aren’t real at the time of the writing in mid 1965?

[klgator]

Eve Of Destruction
The Spokesmen - The Dawn of Correction

"He said in 2015, “[Eve of Destruction]” is more real now than it was then." You might now say that, with Trump as President, "The Dawn of Correction" is more appropriate.