Willie Nelson recording anti-war ballad

Associated Press ^ | December 31, 2003

[Dog Gone]

Willie Nelson plans to debut an anti-war ballad that he wrote Christmas Day at a fund-raising concert Saturday for Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich at Austin Music Hall.

Nelson said he plans to record What Ever Happened to Peace on Earth on Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., and rush-release it as a single.

"Now, I haven't played it for Toby (Keith) yet," a laughing Nelson told the Austin American-Statesman for Tuesday editions. Although the two are close friends, the sentiments of Nelson's song are the polar opposite of Keith's angry-American anthem Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, with its call to arms.

"Toby wrote that song in reaction to 9/11, which was a totally different thing than watching U.S. soldiers die in Iraq," Nelson said. "Toby's said he's not a Republican or a Democrat; he's a Christian. So we're coming from the same place."

The song asks questions such as "How much oil is a human life worth?"

Asked if the song might cause a backlash with conservative country music fans, he said, "I sure hope so. I don't care if people say, 'Who the hell does he think he is?' I know who I am."

Nelson said he supports Kucinich, an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, because of the four-term Ohio congressman's support of family farmers.

The redheaded stranger said he wrote the song Christmas Day at the Lake Elsinore, Calif., home of his in-laws.

"There was nothing but bad news, and here it was Christmas Day," Nelson said. "I said, 'There sure are a lot of babies dying and mothers crying,' and (wife) Annie said, 'That sounds like a song.'"

 

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Maybe if Willie had been as concerned about his own children they would not have committed suicide.

[suzyq5558]

Nelson said he supports Kucinich.
HMMMMM that say's it all for me.

[RabidBartender]

Well, it can't hurt his career in country music, since his only hits on the charts in recent history have been duets with whoever the hot artist du jour is (Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack, Trick Pony).

I can't remember the last time he had a solo hit...I mean song.

[Jeff Chandler]

More "Wisdom of the Carnies".

[RebelBanker]

In his interview with Dan Rather, Toby Keith described Willie Nelson as an "Herbal-American." I think that about covers it.

[Dog Gone]

The lyrics:

There's so many things going on in the world
Babies dying
Mothers crying
How much oil is one human life worth
And what ever happened to peace on earth

We believe everything that they tell us
They're gonna' kill us
So we gotta' kill them first
But I remember a commandment
Thou shall not kill
How much is that soldier's life worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

So I guess it's just
Do unto others before they do it to you
Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out
Is this what God wants us to do

(Repeat Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

Now you probably won't hear this on your radio
Probably not on your local TV
But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined
You can always hear it from me
How much is one picker's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

But don't confuse caring for weakness
You can't put that label on me
The truth is my weapon of mass protection
And I believe truth sets you free

(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

[beaversmom]

The song asks questions such as "How much oil is a human life worth?"

Poor Willie's brain is totally gone. I'll give him a pass though considering he is mentally challenged and he does have one or two tunes I enjoy listening to.

[Old Grumpy]

Is that pig-tailed has-been still around? Who CARES what he sings about? I'd be shocked speechless if he showed one ounce of patriotism.

[mewzilla]

The song asks questions such as "How much oil is a human life worth?"

I really, really hope Willie drives a horse. And lives in a small home. And never flies. And doesn't have a water heater.

[CWOJackson]

"Toby's said he's not a Republican or a Democrat; he's a Christian. So we're coming from the same place."

Not really Willie...toby doesn't wear his arse for ear muffs.

[jtminton]

I'm really goint to hate throwing out my Willie CD's.

[newcats]

In his interview with Dan Rather, Toby Keith described Willie Nelson as an "Herbal-American." I think that about covers it.

Then why did Keith write a song called..."I'll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again"?

[Moonman62]

Smoking all that dope rots the brain.

[Petronski]

Poor Willie's brain is totally gone.

Whiskey River took his mind.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

An Herbal American? LOL.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I can stomach Willie because his music is great and will last a long time AND HE DOESN'T PLAY THE VICTIM OR DO IT OVERSEAS

like the Vichychicks. It's the same reason I have more respect for Tim Robbins than Sean Penn. Tim Robbins took his case to the American public in America.

[smiley]

Willie:....this is your brain on drugs.....any questions?

[dts32041]

Naw that's the guy who played a Texas Ranger on Miami Vice.

Couldn't get G. Gordon Liddy's part, would have had to go bald.

[Clara Lou]

Willie Nelson is a very musically talented loser at life. He self-medicates, and so does just about every one of his musical buddies.