Any John McCutcheon fans here...saw him at Wolf Trap last night...

[SaveElmer]

For I think the 15th time. Preeminent current folk musician in my opinion

[CBHagman]

1. He's written some great songs.

Here is one, for starters:

http://www.folkmusic.com/record/r_story.htm#Name

Not in My Name

You see the plane in the distance
You see the flame in the sky
See the young ones running for cover
See the old ones wondering why
They tell us that the world is a dangerous place
We live in a terrible time
But in Hiroshima, New York or in Baghdad
It’s the innocent who die for the crime

Chorus

Not in my name
Not in my name
Not in my name
Not in my name

The witnesses watch through the window
Their hearts locked in horror and pain
At the man lying strapped to a gurney
As the poison is pumped through his veins
And I’m wondering who are the prisoners
Who holds the lock and the key
Who holds the power over life, over death
When will we finally be free? Chorus

Bridge

We stray and we stumble in seeking the truth
And wonder why it’s so hard to find
But an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
Leaves the whole world toothless and blind

Through the ages I have watched all your holy wars
Your jihads, your Crusades
I have been used as inspiration, I’ve been used as an excuse
For the murder and the misery you’ve made
I thought I made it clear in the Bible
In the Torah and in the Koran
What is it in my teaching about loving your enemies
That you people don’t understand?

Chorus

©2001 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)
Denver, CO October 2001

[SaveElmer]

2. Great song...

He has put out two albums of political satire recently...really excellent.

[redwitch]

3. He is a delight!

He has written so many wonderful songs!
I like : One in a Million


I remember that August
1963
A half million gathered
On our small TV
The moment was magic
With dreams in the air
My Mom watched in wonder
And said, “I wish I was there”

But there were babies to diaper
And a whole house to clean
So she watched the world change
On that black-and-white screen

She was one in a million
Who did her small part
And she carried that banner
Held high in her heart

She taught me the Bible
Each chapter and verse
How the meek shall inherit
And the last shall be first
She said, “God leaves God’s work
“To me and to you
“When you’re meek and you’re ready
“What will you do?”

Though she seldom traveled
Far from her front door
She watched the world change
In the children she bore

You are one in a million
You each have a part
Always carry that banner
Held high in your heart

Bridge

Those children now scattered
Like ships on the sea
Mounting adventures
That she’d never see
I never once doubted
What she said was true
I saw miracles mounting
And small victories counting
And it’s all worth recounting
This work that we do

I was one in a million
Just doing my part
And I carried her banner
Held high in my heart

[CBHagman]

4. And for some comic relief...

...I haven't heard this song sung yet, but oh, I love those lyrics!

http://www.folkmusic.com/t_mp3-Lyrics.htm#Boob_on_Our_TV

Boob on Our TV
Words & music by John McCutcheon

On a cold mid-winter evening
Just like every year
We had the neighbors over
For football, food and beer
Half way through the big game
My son yanked at my sleeve
Saying, "Dad come in the living room
"There's a thing you won't believe!"

Chorus:
Daddy, there's a boob on our TV
Right there for all the world to see
They were dancing all about
Now Janet's got her headlight out
And Daddy, there's a boob on our TV

The Super Bowl's no place
For this kind of crude display
It's family entertainment
At least that's what they say
It's time to sell Viagra,
Beer and SUVs
And watch some steroid-pumped-up guys
Knock heads on our TVs

Chorus:
Daddy, there's a boob on our TV
Right there for all the world to see
A magnificent production
A mammary of mass destruction
And Daddy, there's a boob on our TV

Bridge:
What could be more horrible?
A woman's breast in view
And right before "The Sopranos!"
What’s a Dad to do?

Now it's just a few months later
And already they've begun
The lies are being told
The mud is being slung
It’s still five months til November
An eternity it seems
And every night I know
It'll haunt me in my dreams...

Chorus:
Daddy, there's a boob on our TV
Right there for all the world to see
Selling crap and hawing war
That’s what the media is for
Bring me back the Super Bowl
Where is my remote control?
Daddy, there’s a boob…right there on the tube
Daddy, there's a boob on our TV

©2004 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

And if you want to read something scathing, read the lyrics to "Let's Pretend."

[SaveElmer]

5. Heard him sing this at last years concert...

Hilarious...he has whole albums of these