He Was a Friend of Mine

[hermetic]

The Byrds, 1966

The Byrds' version featured newly written lyrics by McGuinn dealing with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The song pre-dated the formation of The Byrds, as McGuinn explained to author Johnny Rogan in 1977: "I wrote that song the night John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I suppose you could say it's one of the earliest Byrds songs." "He Was a Friend of Mine" is notable for being the first Byrds' recording to feature McGuinn playing an acoustic guitar, instead of his usual twelve-string Rickenbacker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn!_Turn!_Turn!_%28album%29

[In_The_Wind]

1. .

[Hoyt]

2. Wow, I just copied You Tube URL to post. I like your version with the Kennedy photos better.

This song was one reason the Byrds were my favorite group.

Lyrics:

He was a friend of mine, he was a friend of mine
His killing had no purpose, no reason or rhyme
Oh, he was a friend of mine

He was in Dallas town, he was in Dallas town
From a sixth floor window a gunner shot him down
Oh, he died in Dallas town

He never knew my name, he never knew my name
Though I never met him I knew him just the same
Oh, he was a friend of mine

Leader of a nation for such a precious time
Oh, he was a friend of mine

[RebelOne]

3. That song made my eyes tear up.

I was 24 when he died. And I vote for him right after I turned 21.

[ailsagirl]

4. Great song

Can't believe it's been 50 years