Of wars, songs, and peace

by Levy Abad

My evangelical friend would say, “Nothing is new, it’s all written in the book.” Although my friend has a point, I would say that whatever is happening has already been written about by poets and songwriters of this epoch. One song that reminds me of recent events in Ukraine, Israel/ Palestine, or Syria is Jackson Browne’s song Lives in the Balance. Listening to the song, one can easily get what it wants to relay when it refers to the man in the shadows – the operators of monopoly capital. These people destabilize and overthrow governments that are not in line with the interests of the empire.

For instance, we know that socialism crumbled in the 90s, and capitalism was restored in the former Soviet Union (now Russia), unleashing the forces that would drift towards Eastern-style neo-liberalism. This overthrow is usually claimed by imperialism as the work of the men in the shadows or their agents. Take the case of the assassination of Benigno Aquino back in 1983, which remains unresolved. In Chile, on the other hand, who was involved in the murder of Salvador Allende, the revolutionary who brought socialism to power through the ballot, or the murder of Victor Jara, a socially critical songwriter? The regime change and murders were facilitated by men in the shadows who are already known historically that only those who are too lazy to read or watch YouTube are ignorant about it.

Indeed, geopolitical understanding is enlightened by researching who “the men in the shadows” are. What and who are the forces behind the contending powers? What hegemonic and demonic ideologies are profiting from these wars that make “brothers raise a sword against brothers,” kill thousands of innocents and workers. Some examples would be the wars in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Bosnia, and Palestine /Israel.

These conflicts remind me of a line in the song Not in our name will you wage another war. This song was written by my friend peace activist Danny Fabella and is part of the Musikang Bayan album The Peace We Want, to which I contributed a couple of songs, such as Light a Candle for Peace and You’re a Terrorist. Another song that depicts what’s unfolding in our world that’s on the brink of catastrophe is Bob Dylan’s Masters of War, in which he describes the clandestine activities of the agents of greed actively fomenting divisions and instigating internecine strife. These powerful states produce all the instruments of destruction and sell them for profit.

Certainly, what country can build these instruments of mass destruction? What mode of production is required to have this power? These wars aim to redivide the world into spheres of influence that kill millions in the guise of freedom, and democracy. All these had already been depicted in songs in the past. As Paul Simon wrote in the classic Sound of Silence, where he described the apathy and ignorance of many people, it’s all been, Blowing in the Wind all the time. But who cares, except those revolutionaries and poets who get jailed or slaughtered for advancing justice and peace?

In a world mired in tabloid consciousness where neoliberal exploitation is mistaken for freedom and liberation, it’s good to be reminded of John Lennon’s Imagine. Just imagine if people would reject the prevailing ideology of greed and violence, and instead, promote solidarity, justice, and equality. Interestingly, songs like Imagine coming from a Fabian Socialist sound so true, but again who cares if there are billions of profits to be had, right? There’s also George Harrison who sings his song Give me love, Give me peace on Earth. All these for naught in a world controlled by media servile to imperialism.

The generation of the 1970s marched in the streets of the world chanting and singing anti-war songs. Their voices were heard by generations of the 1980s and early 90s. Through all the imperialist wars for the redivision of the world, poets and songwriters raged in history singing the same message captured by John Lennon, hoping that humanity would give peace a chance to triumph. This leaves us with some questions to reflect on. How many poets and songwriters have been killed in the struggle to build a better world? Who can stop poets and songwriters from singing songs against wars and dreaming of peace?

Levy Abad is the author of Rhythms and Resistance: Narrative of Filipino Musicians and Activists (1972-1994). He is also a singer-songwriter, poet, and migrant rights activist who has released four albums centred on the life and struggles of migrants.