Mrs. McGrath and the Tin Soldiers

The tragic life of Mrs. McGrath and her son Ted. Recording by Pete Seeger. Accompanied by a photocollage of toy soldiers, people dressed like toy soldiers for fun, and other images which seem to show, sadly, how much we, as a species, seem to love war. Although the song was written about one particular war, it applies to all wars.

Remember Wilfred Owen's words from the war that was to end all wars, world War One:
"The old lie:
Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori."

Note: the "Mrs McGrath" image is actually of a Frenchwoman (I think the painting is by Degas), but it seemed to fit. Apologies to art, war, naval, and other historians, because there's defintely some poetic license used in this little film. Other images do not fit the times of the song, being from other times, wars, or armies; but war is war.
This song apeaks to today because of the high percentages of amputees, on all sides, in the current war in Iraq: a situation resulting directly from the U.S.A.'s illegal invasion and occupation of that country under the misguided (at best) "leadership" of George W. Bush.
May this war end soon.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Seeger
• Iraq
• soldiers
• gib
• antiwar
• McGrath
• folk
• MuVee

[Dulcimerea]

@pedonbio

I never forget.

The number is greater than 250k. And GWB is not the only president who is responsible. But he was the front man who got the death train rolling after the towers were blown up by traitors. These mass murderers are still on the loose. The "war on terror" was never about 9/11 justice at all. Telling us that was a joke. There was never any intention to bring the perps to justice. The purpose of 9/11 was to be the excuse for wars that were already ready to go.

[Dulcimerea]

I like Bruce's version a lot. I wouldn't say either version is better than the other. That's not the point.

Anyone can sing this. There's no prize for being best. The idea is not about performance, but about what the song is trying to tell us.

In any case, I think it is highly probable that Bruce probably first learned it from this Pete Seeger recording.

[hill1916]

It's pronounced McGra.........not......McGratt­h. Jusy check out the the video of Paul McGrath tribute video and you'll understand!!!

[Dulcimerea]

@hill1916 Maybe you are right.

However, the singer is Pete Seeger. Pete is one of the greatest living Americans, and indeed one of the greatest world citizens. So I won't make a fuss. Let's just call it the Seeger version.

[Dulcimerea]

@Zach02Attack maybe, but it's true.

[Dulcimerea]

@Arianrhod503

Thank you. I don't think it's weird. The world needs more of the same.

I don't know how the Disney picture got in there! It doesn't seem to have a war theme to it. Must have been a mistake. My photo files are not the best-organized in the world. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Zach02Attack]

@pedonbio What a douchey thing to say.

[popoisaclown]

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪= ♥ =☺

[pedonbio]

Let us never forget that George W. Bush is a lying worm who wasted 5,000 American lives and 250,000 Iraqi lives.

[hill1916]

It's pronounce McGra..........not mcgrat!!! Get it right people!!!