Bobby Darin - Simple Song of Freedom

Booby Darin would have turned seventy-four years of age today, exactly one-half of the span he had on Earth. As a hit-maker of the 50's and 60's, he at first glance belongs to the style of lounge singing finger-snapping white guys like Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, et al, who made up the last front of show-biz entertainers who reached out to a largely formal, conservative and adult audience. His work in films seems very "square" indeed.

It would not be long before the youth quake and the turmoil of war and civil rights rocked the popular culture of America and Europe and profound changes came to pass.

Darin was one performer who was profoundly influenced by this political turmoil of his times. After the assassination of John Kennedy, he stopped being an entertainer for a three years to assess his life and where the nation was headed. Unlike most of his peers, who stuck to their personas as genial romantics, he spoke out to reach a new generation with his musical compositions and messages. Although his newer music didn't reach as many as his more "safe" hits like "Beyond the Sea" and a cleaned up version of "Mack the Knife", this song speaks to the tenor of the times in the same vein as the group Buffalo Springfield, Donovan or Johnny Cash.

SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM


Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

Hey there, Mister Black Man can you hear me?
I don't want your diamonds or your game
I do want to be someone known to you as me
and I will bet my life you want the same

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

Seven hundred million are enlisted
Most of what you read, most of what you read, is made of lies
But speaking one to one, ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise?

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung, never sung, before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

No doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
So let's all build them shelves so they can fight among themselves
and leave us be those who want to sing

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never, ever, sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never, ever, sung before
Speaking one to one
Ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise
Speaking one to one
Ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise



This summation of Mr. Darin's career comes from the Rock and Roll Piano Man website on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/opurkert


"Bobby Darin cramped everything into the mere 37 years he lived. He was a multi-talented man who played the drums, piano, harmonica, guitar and what not. He was a successful actor, energetic entertainer, and a superb singer. Of course he is known mostly for his interpretations of "Mack The Knife", "Beyond The Sea", his early hits "Splish-Splash" and "Dream Lover". But among the many songs he wrote, arranged and produced, he also wrote and recorded great folk songs. He did a great version of Tim Hardin's "If I Was A Carpenter", his last real hit. After the assasinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, who's campaign he promoted, he wrote more politically motivated songs. They wouldn't become hits, but they are still great songs.
"Simple Song of Freedom" is just that and unfortunately has lost none of it's topicality. Seems like politicians haven't learned much since the 1960s. This is taken from a 1970's TV Special "A Night With Bobby Darin" and can be found on the DVD of the same name (Umbrella Entertainment), which also has a nice 43 min. biography."