American Pie. . . Peeled!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by humble Lar

A long, long time ago I remember how the music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for awhile But February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver bad news on the door step I couldn't take one more step And I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside The day the music died.	MacLean starts off with memories of Buddy Holly, who died in plane crash in the '50's (Feb 3). This was a time when "youth" was trying to break free of the "military" regiment that their parents forced on them. Their parents, having been dominated by years depression era big government and World War II military indoctrination, only did what they were taught to do. MacLean says, "I don't just sell newspapers. . . I READ THEM, TOO!" Unlike those who became insensitive to death of others (from necessity to "cope" and for self preservation), he FEELS the loss of a "spokesman" for his generation.
Did you write the book of love, and do you believe in God above, 'cause the Bible tells you so? And do you believe in Rock and Roll, can music save your mortal soul? And can you teach me how to dance real slow? And I know that you're in love with him, 'cause I saw you dancing in the gym, you both kicked off you shoes now I dig those rhythm and blues. I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck but I knew that I was out of luck the day the music died	MacLean takes some lines from songs of the time and some religious tokens of the day, relating them to the "Rock-a-billies", that looked to the religious fanatics of the day for approval of Rock and Roll. (Just as Columbus looked to the Pope to determine that the "Indians" he discovered were "humans".) He refers to the "sock hops" that were a popular dance forum in public schools. (Take off your shoes and it's OK to go onto the gym floor). Pink Carnation and pick up trucks were themes of the day for other musicians. He says, "Even with all that 'stuff', I ain't nothing, without the music ("environment" of the day)".
For 10 years we were on our own and moss grows fat on a rolling stone but that's not how it used to be The jester danced for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean and a voice that came from you and me And as the king was looking down the jester stole his thorny crown the court room was adjourned no verdict was returned as Lennon read a book on Marx the quartet practiced in the park and we sang dirges in the dark the day the music died	MacLean says," Hey! we listened to all those guys, but where are we now?" "It ain't like they told us it was supposed to be!" The "jester" danced for John and Jackie Kennedy, the "king and queen" for the day. That way, he got on the "ticket". When the King dropped his guard, in Dallas, the "jester" shot him in the back and took the presidency. Even Gallegher (a Louisiana District Attorney) couldn't get the truth out. Nobody believed the "Warren Commission", who sealed the records for 50 years. Johnson tried to look "cool" (James Dean's jacket) for Life Magazine, but it didn't work. The Beatles did their "stuff" (Lennon on Marx--saw the Maharishi, when their career was failing), Hoffman, Hayden and the other 2 "sellouts" from SDS, protested in the parks, and we all suffered when Camelot died! (the Kennedy good time years).
Helter skelter in the summer swelter Birds flew off with the fallout shelter 8 miles high and falling fast and it fell on the grass the players tried for a forward pass with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast the half-time air was sweet perfume the sergeants played a marching tune and we all got up to dance but we never got the chance The players tried to take the field the marching band refused to yield do you recall what was revealed the day the music died?	Helter Skelter, from a Beatles song, is referenced as chaos of street riots, as our government explodes nuclear bombs that take their radiation "8 miles high", only to fall on the grass that cows eat. Those cows give us our milk after eating the grass. . . the government says, "There's no danger". Our fallout shelters don't protect us from that. . . they may as well "go to the birds"! The "players" take to the streets of Chicago at the Democratic Convention to try to "get a voice". The "jester", who stole the crown from Kennedy, stands aside and plays the "victim" , saying, " I will not seek nor will I accept nomination for the presidency!" Johnson's unpopular war policy (and resulting domestic repression) was given as the reason. . . Poor guy! Even the mainstream press pickup up the bait. We were all there to be heard (we all got up to dance), but the Chicago Police gassed and kicked the snot out of us! We tried to show what was going on, but the military (Ohio National Guard, et al) refused to let us be heard, killing some of us in the process.
And we were all in one place a generation lost in space with no time left to start again Jack be nimble, Jack be quick Jack Flash sat on a candle stick Cause the fire is the devil's only friend And as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage No angel born in hell could break that Satan's spell And as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrificial rite I saw Satan laughing with delight The day the music died	The "mass anti whatever" rallies brought everybody together, but most ended up just being another big"space" party. Jack (Kennedy) played with "fire" (his father used the Mafia to help him get elected. . . only to have Bobby, as Attorney General, go after them). He played with fire and,"flash" (from the grassy knoll) got burned! (Remember Jack Ruby and company?) After Kennedy's death, we were outraged by the Viet Nam War news coverage of the villages and people being burned by Napalm bombs. The antiwar protest took the "raised clenched fist" as its symbol. Other "protests"adopted the same symbol. No matter what we did, the napalm bombs kept burning and our youth kept dying in the "sacrificial rite" (over 50,000 of them are now on the long black wall of "shame on you, Washington", that lays on the door step of those who sent them to their death. Millions more of the "enemy" lie where they fell). Daily government briefings took pride and delight in the "victories" (a large part of them were contrived). Even those who "burned flags" joined in the desecration of our Camelot, instead of rallying around the flag that the "jester" took from us!
I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news she just smiled and turned away I went down to the sacred store where I heard the music years before but the Man there said the music wouldn't play And in the streets the children screamed, the lovers cried and the poets dreamed But not a word was spoken the Church bells all were broken. And the three men I admire most the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost they caught the last train for the coast the day the music died.	More disillusion. . . Things are so bad, that even the "blues" singers don't have words for the situation. They "just turn away" as if saying, "If you don't know, we can't tell you!" We just did what our fore fathers showed us; what we were taught in school, about public protest and the "right to redress" (the sacred store). . . IT DIDN'T WORK! Even electing the "peace" candidate. . . Nixon, didn't change the course of things. We were shot and killed and beaten and put into prison, for our beliefs, just like the patriots at Concord. The "Church bells" (news media) suddenly ALL became "silent" on the protest activities. John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King were taken out. . . the peaceful, nonviolent movement died along with Camelot!

Humble Lar's non lyrical version

World War XXXVII destroyed everything on the earth and the planets around it. There was nothing left on the earth. . . except a seed . . . upon which a raindrop fell. The seed found root and grew. It sprouted a leaf . . . then another . . . then another! Soon there was a bud. In the Springtime warmth, with the sun high above, the bud started to open. The bud revealed a wonderful blossom of perfume and color! Throughout the years, other flowers bloomed from its seeds.

Out of the wilderness , there came a boy . . . who saw a flower, seeded by another long since gone. He came near to smell the sweet perfume. He saw its radiant colors. The colors were beautiful and he had a good feeling in his heart. He lingered a moment to sense the splendor that nature had revealed to him. While he lingered, there approached a girl from the wilderness. She was attracted by the flower's beauty and scent.

The girl lingered, enjoying the beauty of that newly bloomed wonder. SHE smelled it's sweet perfume. It brought upon her a good feeling. She laid in the grass next to the flower, enjoying its magnificence. As she lay, she noticed the boy. He noticed her.

As their vision met, the flower's perfume brought them near to each other. They notice each was beautiful and very appealing. They touched. Their hands met in warm, timid embrace. The flower stood strong and encouraging. They returned often, from the wilderness. . . even during Winter, when the flower was no more. Soon they became one and there bloomed others in THEIR likeness.

They began to populate, cultivate and dominate the earth. They planted flowers, raised food and built towns, villages and cities. They moved to the mountains, to the plains and to the valleys. All were pleased with each other and with their cities, towns and flowers. They enjoyed the perfume and radiance each flower gave to them.

Soon the Valley people look to the hills, desiring the flowers on those hills. The villagers on the Plains looked to the Valleys and wondered why they, alone, should have the beauty of the flowers that only grew in those Valleys. The Mountain people looked to the Plains, desiring to take away the flowers that grew on those Plains.

Soon the Valley people built walls and barriers to stop the Plains and Mountain people from entering to see THEIR flowers. The Plains and Mountain people, likewise, fortified their cities. Thereafter, each summonsed soldiers to "protect" their flowers. They sent "envoys" and spies to discover the secrets of each other's flowers and the soldiers that guarded them.

Each Village, town and city took "census" of all in it, to "discover" the spies. Each asked its citizens to question and doubt their neighbors. Suspicion replaced friendship. Envy replaced fellowship. Each village, town and city surrendered more and more control to the "protectors" . . . the protectors of their precious flowers. Soon, the villages of the Plains sent soldiers to take the flowers from the Mountains. . . to "preserve them for the good of all". More and more soldiers were sent.

So as to not fall behind in collection of flowers, the Valley people sent soldiers to the Plains to take flowers. In response the Mountain people sent soldiers to the Valley and to the Plains to take flowers. In defense, each sent more and more soldiers. Soon, the Valleys, Mountains and Plains were flooded with soldiers, who, in their haste, trampled flowers of each other. In their marches, movements, and flag waving, all the flowers were trampled and destroyed. Each blamed each other. . . they entered into open warfare.

After the war, there was NOTHING left on the earth and . . . the planets around it. . . NOTHING!!! . . .
except a seed . . . upon which a raindrop fell. . .

The more things change, the more they remain the same. . .
The king is dead! Long live the King! . . . . . . . . . . .DON'T GIVE UP IN DESPAIR!
Don't create the need for another Black Wall with a list of our fallen flowers on it.

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