The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Updated by Mark Twain

I recently ran across these lyrics while looking for some songs to record. They're Mark Twain's "updated" version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Twain wrote it in 1908 as a satire on American Imperialism in the wake of the Philippine-American War. Sadly, it seems just as relevant today in many respects. I may have to record this one myself.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Updated
by Mark Twain

Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored;
His lust is marching on.

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps—
His night is marching on.

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!"

We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;*
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on!

In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom—and for others' goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich—
Our god is marching on.

* NOTE: In Manila the Government has placed a certain industry under the protection of our flag. (M.T.)

Tom Dooley

I just posted a new song to Elijah Wilbury's EZFolk Page. Its my rendition of the old Folk Song "Tom Dooley". The song is based on the real life murder of Lorie Foster in 1866. Civil War veteran Tom Dula was hanged for the crime in 1868.

More information about the development of the song and the story behind it can be found at Tom Dula.com.

Rachel, Don't You Weep: The Video

This is a song I first did quite a while ago & reworked earlier this year. Its a rewritten "Jewish" version of the traditional spiritual Mary, Don't You Weep. You can check out the 'studio' version on Elijah Wilbury's EZ Folk Page.

The 7th Day of Hanukkah

Something

Elijah Wilbury's latest video:

Absolutely

"If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does absolute powerlessness make you pure?"

- Harry Shearer

What if Hank Williams Were Jewish?

He may have written this:

Chanbalaya

I'm Not There

I went and saw this film over the weekend and absolutely loved it. It is far from being a typical biopic, which should be blatantly apparent to anyone who is familiar the premise. At the beginning of the film there is a note that it is based on "The Songs and Lives of Bob Dylan," which is the first indication that it is not merely a dramatization of Dylan's life story, such as you would find in the very well made Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line." Dylan, whose name is never mentioned in the dialog of the film, is portrayed by six different actors (one of them a woman and one a 12 year old black kid) who represent different aspects of Dylan's character at different points in his life. Within each character's storyline things unfold relatively chronologically (though one does employ some flashbacks), though the film jumps between each Dylan, inter-cutting different periods of his life more thematically than chronologically. It is a hard film to describe in words, I think one must experience it to appreciate it at all. As much a meditation on Dylan as it is a biography, this film isn't spoon fed to the viewer, as there is much metaphorical imagery at work, and requires the viewer (I would say challenges the viewer) to think about and consider what is projected on the screen. Probably not a film for everyone, but one that I will definitely buy on DVD and watch and study repeatedly. Below I've posted some videos (Trailers, clips and interviews) concerning the film that I've run across on YouTube.

The Rain

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.

-- Bob Dylan