Peridyd's Progress

I shared this with a friend the other day, and, as I was writing her about it, I realized that I'd never heard a finer anti-war song. It's the perfect anti-war song for this cultural moment.

I saw Tracy Grammer perform in Corvallis back in 2005 when this song had been just released. This is not difficult music. Transparent and extremely well written. Tracy Grammer's voice has a purity that I've rarely experienced in a recording let alone live. The sound quality of this Youtube video leaves a bit to be desired, but you can get a sense of how great her voice is.

Hey Ho
by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
performed by Tracy Grammer

tv’s on, the favorite son is
watchin how the west was won
daddy, please, a plastic gun
get brother one for twice the fun

little camo helmet-heads
makin brave and playin dead
missiles made of gingerbread
dollars on the dime

chorus
hey ho, so it goes, the point of sale, the puppet show
the merchant kings of war and woe have turned their hands to labor
sound out the trumpet noise, the cannons bark and jump for joy
someone’s dread and darlin boy has fallen on his saber

another world across the sea
home for little busy bees
sweatin in some factory
hurry, please, more of these

action dolls with laser sights
robot planes that shoot at night
faster, kid, and get it right
they’re rollin down the line

hey ho...

these days the spin machine
is always on the silver screen
secret plots and submarines
foreign fiends and magazines

wave the flag, watch the news
tell us we can count on you
mom and dad are marchin too
children, step in time

hey ho...

bring your kids and coddled pets
bouncin babes in bassinets
we’ll play a game with tanks and jets
better yet – bayonets!

marchin bands and color guards
funerals in your own backyard
don’t forget your credit card –
johnny, hold the line

hey ho...

Namaste