My friend is worried. I’m concerned too. It seems we’ve lost the three Cs. Caring, concern and compassion. We seem to have replaced them with spitefulness, name calling and hatred. Not even of our enemies but of our brothers and sisters.
OH, Yah, negativity has ruled before; anybody remember the aftermath of the Vietnam War? Now, during the Pandemic and pre and post-election, caring about others seems to be low on the list of important things. Better to rant, rail and rag than to seek compromise and caring.
My friend found a song from the 1960’s that she thinks holds the answer. Maybe you remember it?
Come on people now,
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another,
RIGHT NOW!
The song has a very long and successful history. “Get Together” was the second single released from the Youngbloods’ debut album in July 1967. It became the de facto anthem of the “hippie movement” and it remains the Youngbloods most well-known and successful song to this day.
The song was originally recorded as “Let’s Get Together” by the Kingston Trio in a live performance in March 1964. Many prominent popular groups have recorded the song.
The most notable recording came in 1967, when the Youngbloods released their version under the title “Get Together”. It was used in a radio public service announcement as a call for brotherhood by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The Youngbloods’ version, the most-remembered today, was re-released in 1969, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Just think of the social boundaries this song has spanned: from “hippie” to National Conference of Christians and Jews. Perhaps it has a message we should consider.
In his book, “The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho has the shepherd boy, Santiago, say, “the world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that’s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.”
Are we striving to become better than we are or are we smugly tearing each other down? Can we heed the plea to love one another? RIGHT NOW! “Come on, let’s get together and love one another. RIGHT NOW!”
Jackie,
I really resonate with your article today. It is – and always has been one of my favorite songs and lyrics. I didn’t know the Kingston Trio had also done it. It is a timeless message. My Dad was in Vietnam in 1967-68, while I was home learning how to play ‘Louie, Louie” on my guitar – and watching the news of the scenes of medieval helicopters, flag-draped coffins and protestors here back home. While I didn’t support the war – or any war, really – I was very uncomfortable with the way our troops were treated upon arriving home, and I love this country and what it stands for. Some general said “Hate war – but love a soldier” – or something close to that…. We were/are a proud military family, and I was home watching TV, listening to early rock-n-roll – and the civil rights movement was in full swing. Those were tumultuous and challenging times. As is now. we should all love one another, much like the Cajun Navy does when flooding hits after a hurricane, despite our differences – we are all human beings, and Americans.
Today, the fires are drawing us together as Oregonians- the donations in Roseburg at the bowling alley parking lot – the ‘Cowboy Convoy’ in Springfield rescuing horses and pets for evacuation….
The song suggests we evolve and learn how to step like this higher state of co-existence – without a disaster.
“Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now, right now.”
I am smiling right now – behind my mask…. 😉
Thank you, Jackie
Darn that auto-correct…. meant to write ‘medivac’ helicopters….
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Jackie, a. Wonderful message for all, could you send a copy to the White House.
John Fye
Lot 189
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’ve always loved this song … and it’s fitting to be reminded of it at this time.