Cat Stevens "Peace Train"
Song Lyrics:
Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train
Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you
Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on peace train
Yes, it's the peace train
Analysis Questions:
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again.” It clearly encourages the spread of peace through other countries.
Analysis in Paragraph Form:
The language of the song that stood farthest out from me was the phrase “Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train.” It’s saying that the peace would only come after the darkness and sadness of fighting. This song is a Pro war song, encouraging the spread of peace, even if it is by way of war and death, because in the song it says, “Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again.” It clearly encourages the spread of peace through other countries. Its in support of the doctrine, the song gives favor because of its phrase ‘peace train,’ the Truman doctrine urges peace between all conflicting parties. With the song in support the Truman doctrine that it tries to stop the spread of communism, and akin to the domino theory where one nation falls to communism another will follow one after another like dominoes. It answers the driving question how can war with all of its detrimental effects be beneficial. As war breaks out there is a initial want to spread peace, by both sides of the fighting. The beneficial side effect to war is the want for peace and prosperity, a want usually made from both sides of the battlefield. It tells us repeatedly that war is an unnecessary evil, every time a war begins all people want is peace, whether it is just for their home country, or for the country they are fighting for. All the people want is peace. I agree with the message of this song in that it encourages the spread of peace and tranquility. Now-a-days peace is a rare thing to have, what with all the fighting that goes on today even if it is to try to encourage more peace spreading I feel that this song is very happy and light, giving a lighter side of the evil so to speak.
Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train
Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you
Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on peace train
Yes, it's the peace train
Analysis Questions:
- What language of the song stands out to you, catches your attention, etc?
- How does this song present the war? Pro-war or anti-war and how do you know?
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again.” It clearly encourages the spread of peace through other countries.
- Is this song in support of or critical of the stated foreign policy?
- How does the song answer one of the driving questions?
- Do you agree with the message of the song or not? Why
Analysis in Paragraph Form:
The language of the song that stood farthest out from me was the phrase “Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train.” It’s saying that the peace would only come after the darkness and sadness of fighting. This song is a Pro war song, encouraging the spread of peace, even if it is by way of war and death, because in the song it says, “Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again.” It clearly encourages the spread of peace through other countries. Its in support of the doctrine, the song gives favor because of its phrase ‘peace train,’ the Truman doctrine urges peace between all conflicting parties. With the song in support the Truman doctrine that it tries to stop the spread of communism, and akin to the domino theory where one nation falls to communism another will follow one after another like dominoes. It answers the driving question how can war with all of its detrimental effects be beneficial. As war breaks out there is a initial want to spread peace, by both sides of the fighting. The beneficial side effect to war is the want for peace and prosperity, a want usually made from both sides of the battlefield. It tells us repeatedly that war is an unnecessary evil, every time a war begins all people want is peace, whether it is just for their home country, or for the country they are fighting for. All the people want is peace. I agree with the message of this song in that it encourages the spread of peace and tranquility. Now-a-days peace is a rare thing to have, what with all the fighting that goes on today even if it is to try to encourage more peace spreading I feel that this song is very happy and light, giving a lighter side of the evil so to speak.