One Tin Soldier...
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (40115)
June 4, 2024 4:06pm CST
Does anyone remember the Billy Jack movies? The theme song, ''One Tin Soldier?''
Think 1971-1973. The movie itself was based on hatred many had against Indians, but it applies to all races.
An anti-war song, first sung by The Original Caste, and then by a group called Coven. A sort of protest song, during the Vietnam war. It's a simple song, but the message is there. Listening to it, it made me realize that the mountain people they discuss in the song, were the true believers, and tried to make things better. They wanted what was right and just and best for everyone. The valley people were the destroyers, and used their so-called faith as a weapon for destruction, but mostly for control.
Via Wikipedia, it explains it all better than I ever could. I was going to post the lyrics but they are lengthy, so I did restrain myself.
The king made an offer to share and to work together. The valley people wanted none of it, and destroyed the mountain people to have the treasure for themselves. To me, it also is an example of people not willing to work together for the best outcome, but greedily wanting everything their own way. 55 years later, it's still playing out, in countries all over the world.
Sound familiar? Yes, it does. We no longer seem to have the ability in many cases, in government, everyday life, etc. to work things out. Compromise has disappeared. It's either all or nothing...and that may well lead as the One Tin Soldier song does--no one won, in the end. No one.
So simple. So true.
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11 people like this
10 responses
@Deepizzaguy (105817)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Jun
One Tin Soldier is one of my favorite songs of all times that could be used as a song for the racial tensions in the Women's National Basketball Association hatred of rookie Caitlyn Clark.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
4 Jun
George, I’ve always loved this song and the meaning that’s behind it. All the racial tensions are unfortunately still strong, everywhere, and it’s just so foolish.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (110485)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Jun
Its sad that that song is still so fitting. I hadn't thought about that one in a long time
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (110485)
• Marion, Ohio
5 Jun
@MarieCoyle You would think we would have grown beyond that stuff by now. Sadly we have went backwards
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
4 Jun
I watched the movie the other night, hadn’t in a few years. And it really hit me that the world iis crazier now than it even was then. And as you say, how sad that is still so fitting.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
The movie is old, but it’s definitely got a message. I really enjoyed watching it again.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (74042)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Jun
That was before my time. But, I think my husband might resiniate with it.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (74042)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Jun
@MarieCoyle And.... yet I still feel old.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
@kaylachan
You're not old. No one is old, until they really want to be, in my opinion. Old is a state of mind, not the age we are. At least, that's how I tend to look at it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
He may enjoy the movie if he remembers it. Yes, the song and movie are older than you are!
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51976)
• Canada
5 Jun
I vaguely remember that son.
I remember listening to it on my little tiny hand held transistor radio the summer that I was sick.
I used to put it under my pillow and listen to it quietly, and fall asleep to the music.
I was too young to know the meaning behind it.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
Oh, yes. We did love our hand held transistor radios. Another memory!
My Dad loved that song, which surprised me. He was all into the old songs, not usually anything popular. But he asked me to write out the lyrics for him to keep. I did that, and gave him a record of it then. Another good memory. Thank you, Julia.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (81990)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jun
I do remember this song. There is also a Latvian song about tin soldiers and something about one child asking another to take his tin soldiers and come play with him on his steps,
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
4 Jun
I’m glad there are people who still remember. Now if we just had a way to spread it around…we aren’t really going to move forward in any way if we don’t learn to work together.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (51134)
• United States
5 Jun
I remember going on a school field trip to see the first “Billy Jack” movie.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
I know the friends I hung out with back then all loved the movie.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
5 Jun
Yes, it is. I didn't really think about it that way, but you're right.
2 people like this
@Beaser (391)
• United States
5 Jun
I remember the song and movies. I enjoyed both of them and had a basic understanding of the meaning at that time. If I listen to the song today and look at the world today it can be applied in almost every facet. One country wanting to wipe out another country, one race wanting to wipe out another race, one belief wanting to wipe out another belief, and one political party wanting to wipe out the other. So very sad that this is what we've allowed the world to evolve to.
In my opinion, the only way this is going to change is for each individual to make a choice to do better and commit to that choice. Don't just listen to what's on the news, read different prospectives from different sources and then make your choice based on what you've learned. If you come across new information, reevaluate your choice and adjust it if necessary.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40115)
•
6 Jun
So nicely put, John. Thank you for that.
As I said, as a society, we have lost our ability to compromise and to think of what is best for all of us. I used to think it was just the US, now I know this goes on all over the world. We don't seem to accept the fact that we all think differently, and that is not working out for us.
1 person likes this
