His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.
In Times Like These
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
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And I am weary and my heart is worn
When the songs they’re singing don’t mean nothing
Just cheap refrains play on and on
The storm is here, the lightning flashes
Between commercials they’re taking names
Just another link in slavery’s chain
I see the storm clouds rise above me
The sky is dark and the night has come
I walk alone along this highway
Where strangers gather one by one
When leaders profit from deep divisions
When the tears of friends remain unsung
In times like these it’s good to remember
These times will go in times to come
I see the storm clouds rise above me
The sky is dark and the night has come
I walk alone along this highway
When friends gathered one by one
I know the storm will soon be over
The howling winds will cease to be
I walk with friends from every nation
On freedom’s highway In times like these
Arlo Guthrie's "In Times Like These" is a poignant commentary on the current state of society - a reflection on the political and social turmoil of the early 1970s, and a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and freedom can still be found. The lyrics describe a sense of desolation and disillusionment in the face of societal upheaval, with Guthrie painting a vivid picture of the storm clouds gathering overhead, the darkness of night descending, and the weary soul wandering alone along a highway, surrounded by strangers.
Through his lyrics, Guthrie speaks to the sense of alienation and detachment that many people feel in times of crisis - a feeling that is all too familiar in the current times. The songs that are sung and the leaders that are followed seem to offer nothing meaningful or substantial, with cheap refrains and empty promises ringing hollow in the ear. The storm itself seems inevitable, with lightning flashing and the singers fleeing to wherever the money is to be found - a reflection of the reality that the powerful often benefit from division and unrest.
Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. Guthrie cites the importance of solidarity and unity, emphasizing that while the times may be challenging, they will come to an end in due course. The storm will soon be over, the winds will cease to howl, and friends from every nation will walk together on freedom's highway.
Overall, "In Times Like These" is a powerful reflection of the challenges and struggles faced by individuals and societies when undergoing change and transition. Guthrie's poignant lyrics capture a sense of unease and uncertainty, while also offering hope and optimism for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
In times like these when night surrounds me
During difficult times when everything seems dark and hopeless
And I am weary and my heart is worn
When I am tired and my spirit is broken
When the songs they're singing don't mean nothing
When the music being played is empty and meaningless
Just cheap refrains play on and on
Just a repetition of shallow, meaningless lyrics
The storm is here, the lightning flashes
A metaphor for the chaos and turmoil in the world
Between commercials they're taking names
Corporate interests are trying to manipulate and control the public
The singers run to where the cash is
Musicians will do anything for money, including selling out their art
Just another link in slavery's chain
Referring to the system of capitalism that exploits people for profit
When leaders profit from deep divisions
Political and social leaders use division among the people to maintain power and privilege
When the tears of friends remain unsung
When the pain and suffering of those close to us is ignored and disregarded
In times like these it's good to remember
During times of struggle, it's important to hold onto hope and persevere
These times will go in times to come
Nothing is permanent, even difficult times will eventually pass
I know the storm will soon be over
The turmoil and difficulties of life will eventually come to an end
The howling winds will cease to be
The chaos and noise of the world will quiet down
I walk with friends from every nation
In the end, our differences don't matter as much as our shared humanity
On freedom's highway In times like these
Even during difficult times we can still strive for greater freedom and justice
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Arlo Guthrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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