RIOTING IN AFRICA? STRIFE IN IRAN? You Have to Read This

You’re not going to believe it but this was written by Sheldon Harnick in 1958 and recorded by the Kingston Trio.  Does anything sound familiar?   I couldn't find a decent video but it was too good to waste.

 They're rioting in Africa (whistling)

They're starving in Spain (whistling) 

There's hurricanes in Flo-ri-da (whistling)

And Texas needs rain

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls

The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles

Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch

AND I DON'T LIKE ANYBODY VERY MUCH!!

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud

For man's been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud

And we know for certain that some lovely day

Someone will set the spark off

AND WE WILL ALL BE BLOWN AWAY!!?

They're rioting in Africa (whistling)

There's strife in Iran

What nature doesn't so to us --

Will be done by our fellow "man"

Comments

[Moishe3rd]

Just for your amusement - I actually wrote this about a year ago to reply to some Yahoo News story:

They're rioting in Libya.
They fight in Yemen
They're killing folk in Syria
And also Sudan.

The Arab world is festering with unhappy men.
The Lebanese hate Syria; the Saudis hate Yemen.
Iraqis hate Kuwaitis; Egypt hates Sudan.
And everyone hates Amahnutjob of Iran.

But we can be thankful and never surcease
Our praise for that tranquil Religion of Peace.
Even though we know on this lovely day...
Someone has lit the spark off...
And they are blowing everyone away...

They're rioting in Libya
They fight in Bahrain
What the infidels do not do to you...
Will be done by your fellow...
Muslim.

[Elizabeth Rogers]

Oh boy, memories! I was in college with Dave Gard, and I loved the Kingston Trio's music. Still do. This song is as relevant now as it was in 1958, maybe even more so. Some things just don't seem to change. At least we haven't blown ourselves up--yet!

Like Tarzana, I found this on Time Goes By. I have Facebook and Twitter but do I like them? Not so much. How would I find you?

[Harold Babb]

Tarzana got this, but thank you for reminding me of this song. I used to love the Kingston Trio.

[Tarzana]

I found your blog via Time Goes By. The Kingston Trio song brought back memories of the '60s when I was busily producing 4 babies. I found a production of the song on YouTube. Search "Merry Minuet". (having trouble linking) I hope you enjoy it and thanks for the memory.