John Denver and Alexandre Gradsky - What are we making weapons for

Джон Денвер и Александр Градский. 1985 год.
I am the son of a grassland farmer
Western Oklahoma 1943
I always felt grateful to live in the land of the free
I gave up my father to South Korea
The mind of my brother to Vietnam
Now there's a banker who says I must give up my land
There are four generations of blood in this topsoil
Four generations of love on this farm
Before I give up I would gladly give up my right arm
What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for
I had a son and my son was a soldier
He was so like my father, he was so much like me
To be a good comrade was the best that he dreamed he could be
He gave up his future to revolution
His life to a battle that just can't be won
For this is not living, to live at the point of a gun
I remember the nine hundred days of Leningrad
The sound of the dying, the cut of the cold
I remember the moments I prayed I would never grow old
What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for
For the first time in my life I feel like a prisoner
A slave to the ways of the powers that be
And I fear for my children, as I fear for the for the future I see
Tell me how can it be we're still fighting each other
What does it take for a people to learn
If our song is not sung as a chorus, we surely will burn
What are we making weapons for
Why keep on feeding the war machine
We take it right out of the mouths of our babies
Take it away from the hands of the poor
Tell me, what are we making weapons for
Have we forgotten all the lives that were given
All the vows that were taken saying never again
Now for the first time this could be the last time
If peace is our vision let us begin
Have we forgotten all the lives that were given
All the vows that were taken saying never again, never again
Now for the first time this could be the last time
If peace is our vision, let us begin, let us begin.

[@jennyc9360]

This song is more relevant in 2020 than ever before. John Denver and Alexander Gradsky were brilliant together, and they were right.

[@kiwib.7824]

And it gets getting more relevant, considering everything that is going on

[@christinamcilwaine350]

Rest In Everlasting Peace John Denver never forgotten 🪶 🕯️ 🤍 🕊️ It's about time the world listened to John's message 🤍🌎🩷 🩵

[@Skyewalker1000]

So much death and destruction to make those in power richer. We should be protecting this planet, instead of destroying it. Such a great song.

[@jennyc9360]

Alexander Gradsky died Nov 28' 2021. He and John Denver were right.

[@samanth74nikos66]

The big country legend John has died very early 😔😔1997

[@Ryan-ux8yq]

2023. God damn john denver if you really are who i think i hope you come back.

[@randyoftheredwoods2205]

How poignant is this song in January 2022? Sadly, Alexander Gradsky passed away in November, 2021 at age 72. RIP comrades. Let's pray for "peace is our vision".

[@bpfromowc]

I did not know that R.I.P. Sasha.

[@user-kd5bo5cc3t]

John Denver and Alexander Gradsky.... Rest in Peace. Джон Денвер и Александр Градский.... Покойся с миром.

[@patriciamontagne1470]

Very powerful and touching song that is sung by two powerful song writers. We must educate our young children to quit fighting each other. This violence in our streets here at home. Let there be peace at home, and abroad....❤😢

[@alastairclunie7232]

Possible the greatest truthful song ever written should be the World's anthem played to ever world leader make then think.

[@ebomb8749]

I can't believe this has few views. It is one of my favorite videos. I miss John and Alexander looks so young I love him I wish he sang more songs in English

[@dboots133]

yes it is surprising very few hits,and i do agree alex should do some more songs in english,john denver played and still does play a large part in my life.respect david

[@tocando_em_frente]

Unbelieveable powerfull message , that fits our days perfectly !!

[@lorettaschaefer6652]

keep sharing what a message

[@robertgriffin5032]

John denver, there was never a better artist in my opinion for attempting to unite East & West.

[@georgfriedrichhandel4390]

One of the most powerful and profound songs I've ever heard. I recall when John and Alexandre sang it on one of John's Christmas specials. Sadly, the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and a new Europe with open borders did not bring peace in our times. The world now is more dangerous and unstable than it has probably ever been. We're still making weapons and wars are still being incessantly fought. As the song says, "What does it take for a people to learn"? Whatever it is, we haven't learned it.

[@ollie2244]

Nero Wolfe Unfortunately there’s no money to be made in peace.

[@georgfriedrichhandel4390]

@@ollie2244 Oliver, I've been saying the same thing for years now. War has become an industry. Look at all the companies that got fat and rich from the Iraq War. And what it cost the American taxpayer. This was not about bringing democracy to Iraq. It was to steal Iraqi oil.

[@paigeaaron9191]

This song is even MORE potent today than when I first saw it performed on one of JD's specials. So very powerful!

[@knockedoutloaded279]

This song should be famous.

[@amandawolfstar1982]

If it was released today it would apply to the current situations that everyone's facing. End Coris "say, NEVER AGAIN!!!" Is a good message as part of the message of the whole song. Ravin's Child is another good one to bad a whole generation and all the generations after are lost to John Denver's songs

[@goldenoriolesilverbirch8220]

and now the US is spending 730,000,000,000 annually on 'defence.' .......credit for trying John Denver.

[@genghispepper2491]

"What does it take for a people to learn" :(

[@bonniematthews7611]

What an amazing performance! The prophetic lyrics, soaring vocals, and visuals cry out for peace and sanity, for the human race to come to its senses. Sadly, this bold and daring song ended John's career, as the lucrative military industrial complex was not pleased. They blocked him from ever getting a recording contract again. So much for freedom in this country. PLEASE share this powerful video with others!

[@gloriaertel5964]

Precious John Denver.....................................Amazing song/video...........................Love..Love....Love Rip my friend..

[@liamodriscoll3739]

THE LATE GREAT GOD GIFTED JOHN DENVER UNIQUE IRREPLACEABLE BRILLIANT WITH A LESSON IN SONG FOR ALL MANKIND TO HEED THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE JOHN SO BAD JOHN DECEMBER 31ST 1943 TO OCTOBER 12TH 1997 R I P AMEN ❤

[@bpfromowc]

This song is a masterpiece.

[@craighissey6176]

How appropriate is this song right now?

[@jennyc9360]

This song is always appropriate, and haunting.

[@hazzachannel1]

IN THE LAST 12 HOURS, I HEARD IT LIVE AT BEVAN GARDINER'S CONCERT 'TAKE ME HOME'. SINCE THEN I HAVE HEARD IT A DOZEN TIMES!!

[@stevesedberry]

my favorite John Denver song by far!

[@MJAngelLove]

This song is so relevant today. With what is going on with Korea I wonder that about the nuclear weapons. I understand the military needs some but we can do without nuclear weapons

[@joshuasudduth1364]

I agree with you on that one.

[@amandaw6951]

This music song and videos got to be put back out there again especially with the Ukraine situation now

[@samanth74nikos66]

Very very Great words of great song from Two big legends ♥️♥️ Forever

[@minty_Joe]

@Виталий Леонтьев, thank you for posting this. A great song, yet very fitting for what the world is going through today. Let's hope peace is accomplished soon.

[@minty_Joe]

Have we forgotten all the lives that were given? All the vows that were taken? Say never again! Now for the first time, this could be the last time. If peace is our vision, let us begin!

[@amandaw6951]

I do like this video it asks why make wepons of mass distraction why can't there be peace? The Cold war was not good infact it was a scary thing for 4 generations of Russians and Americans and everyone else that watching experienced during this time. So those of us Borne from 1949-1989 thies shadows still haunt us and the fear air raid drills were the norm though it covered 4 generations and commenly one doesn't understand the previous generation and vissa verssa but the one commen thing we all experience from thies 4 generations that we share together was the fear and the Cold war. 4&a half generations to be adsact

[@paulabrook4181]

Wonderful post.

[@pathoflovemysteryschool9881]

tragically, this song is still relevant and the war in Ukraine is the latest place it needs to be sung.

[@joshuasudduth2877]

Sadly I think this song is very relevant right now because of the nuclear threat in both Iran and North Korea.

[@amandaw6951]

NEVER AGAIN!!

[@arlenenoone]

What did Alexander say at the end? Looks like he and John had fun recording this song.

[@lasarus1973]

"That was great! It turns out that I can even do a good lip-sync!"

[@mrpapakc]

God keep the poor folks in Ukraine who are being viciously attacked by Russia this week February 24-2022....Why Putin, why???

[@breathedeepandseekadventur7302]

What’s the bloke from Russia saying? I don’t speak Russian?

[@ralphcalabretta9952]

I wonder what Alexander would say and sing today regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

[@larisasmarkina4456]

К сожалению, актуально. А кто слышит этот призыв? Зачем далеко ходить? "Гумконвоями" из РФ гонят на Донбасс "Грады", "Ураганы" и т.п. И что и кто их остановит?

[@jamiekruger5517]

Hey PUTIN, listen to this you Jackwang