Pete Seeger: Waist Deep in the Big Muddy

Aired on CBS at the height of the Vietnam War, this song holds just as much truth today...

It was back in 1941.
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in Lou'siana one night
By the light of the moon.
The Captain told us to ford a river.
That's how it all begun.
We were knee deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure
This is the best way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, go on, I've forded this river
About a mile above this place.
It'll be a little soggy, but just keep sloggin'.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment,
No man will be able to swim."
"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nelly,"
The Captain said to him.
"All we need is a little determination.
Men, follow me. I'll lead on."
We were neck deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

All at once the moon clouded over.
We heard a gurglin' cry.
A few seconds later the Captain's helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, "Turn around, men.
I'm in charge from now on."
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the Captain dead and gone.

We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
Then the place he'd once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
About a half mile from where we'd gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.

Now I'm not going to point any moral —
I'll leave that for yourself.
Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking,
You'd like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers, that old feeling comes on,
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.

Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep, neck deep,
Soon even a tall man will be over his head.
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool says to push on.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• pete-seeger
• antiwar
• big-muddy
• war
• vietnam
• protest
• activism

[pipin3d]

#occupywallstreet

[trippinballs15]

@Borjack58 Glad to hear some American, Democratic Opinion now and again...I'll be honest, when I dont hear that talk, aside from my family, I assume the rest of "The States" are ignorant biggots..In Alberta (Canada) we get Fox and PeachTree TV. Do the Math ...

I support the AFL-CIO.Peace, Brothers and Sisters.In Solidarity..Yours.

[conantdog]

Educate yourself Listen to Chris Hedges "Death of the liberal class" Or John pilger.

"Freedom next time"Both readings in many versions are on U Tube.

[TheCrazyCougar]

I find it ironic that the liberals of today fail to realize that they won the war of ideology during the Vietnam war and they now hold all the cherished positions in the halls of academe as well as in our government. But what have they done to improve our country other than to divide it via the class warfare mantra? Pete Seeger should direct his songs towards the college professors, the very ones who also supported Fidel Castro in his take over of Cuba.......

[gspendlove]

Truth to Power, baby!

[goliath93588]

6 people were told to push on by the big fool

[saltyballs728]

wow... what a song

[gjm1953]

Man, don't you just love the sound of a twelve-string?

[jasrogg]

This is a real musician KIDS.

[mojomatt176]

you can feel pete's passion and frustration during this song. heed his message!