Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Draft Morning
The Byrds Lyrics
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Down below movin' slow
And it's morning
Take my time this morning, no hurry
To learn to kill and take the will
From unknown faces
Today was the day for action
Leave my bed to kill instead
Why should it happen?
The Byrds’ Draft Morning is a powerful anti-war song that uses beautiful yet eerie imagery to express the sentiments of a young man who is about to be drafted into the army. The opening line “Sun warm on my face, I hear you” paints a peaceful and serene picture but it is quickly contrasted by the lyrics “Down below movin’ slow and it’s morning”. This line refers to the army draft process where young men were collected in the early hours of the morning, taken to a military site and processed before they are sent off to fight.
The lyrics “Take my time this morning, no hurry to learn to kill and take the will from unknown faces” reveals the character's reluctance to be a part of the war effort, highlighting the fact that he and other young men were being forced to take up arms, to kill and maim others. The chorus “Today was the day for action, leave my bed to kill instead, why should it happen?” depicts a sense of confusion and hopelessness as the singer questions the noble cause of war and why they should be made to kill innocent people.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun warm on my face, I hear you
As the sun warms my face, I realize your presence and feel grateful for it
Down below movin' slow
I observe the slow movement of people down below
And it's morning
This takes place in the morning
Take my time this morning, no hurry
I don't want to rush this morning and prefer to take my time
To learn to kill and take the will
I am being trained to become a ruthless killer and take control over others
From unknown faces
I am asked to kill people I don't even know
Today was the day for action
Today was the day when I had to take action and carry out the plan
Leave my bed to kill instead
I had to leave my bed and start killing people instead
Why should it happen?
I question the necessity and reason behind all this violence and killing
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DP, CHRIS HILLMAN, DAVID VAN CORTLANDT CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noel Salisbury, from England
on John Riley
I always have my eyes brimming with tears , listening to this masterpiece. Thankyou DC & RMg & I hope you two make music together again- "Everybody knows Music is Love" ay, David