The Kingston Trio.

Oh, how we loved The Kingston Trio.  They were doing their thing and singing their songs during a very happy period in our lives. 

Way back when the children were little, we’d tuck them into bed, pour ourselves a scotch and soda, put a Kingston Trio album on the record player and mellow out. 

I now have friends who’ve never even heard of The Kingston Trio!   They’re too young!   And while I’m grateful to have those young friends, I feel a need introduce them to, and remind others of a particular song from the Trio’s era.  It’s titled the Merry Little Minuet.

Here are the lyrics.  There’s also link below to listen and sing along, should you wish.

They’re rioting in Africa. They’re starving in Spain.
There’s hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain.

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.
The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles.

Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don’t like anybody very much!

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man’s been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.

And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.

They’re rioting in Africa. There’s strife in Iran.
What nature doesn’t do to us will be done by our fellow man.

Those words were written over 65 years ago!  If we changed some names and places, they could be written for today.  And they would be just as appropriate.  History has once again repeated itself.  Just as it always does.

Here’s the link to listen to the song – here.