Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Are Things STILL What They Used to Be?



"Oh, mercy mercy me
 Oh, things ain't what they used to be
 No, no
 Where did all the blue sky go?
 Poison is the wind that blows
 From the north, east, south, and sea

 Oh, mercy mercy me
 Oh, things ain't what they used to be
 No, no
 Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
 Fish full of mercury

 Oh, mercy mercy me
 Oh, things ain't what they used to be
 No, no
 Radiation in the ground and in the sky
 Animals and birds who live nearby are dying

 Oh, mercy mercy me
 Oh, things ain't what they used to be
 What about this overcrowded land?
 How much more abuse from man can you stand?"


I was in high school when Marvin Gaye wrote this sorrowful song.  Back then, I listened to it over and over again with a growing concern for our planet.  This morning, I heard it on my way back from vacation.  Just as poignant as it was in 1971, the song reminded me that all these years later, our work is still not done. 
 

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