Song picture
unknown soldier
Like
Playlist
Comment Share
License   $0.00
Free download
For a beautiful Salvadoran woman I saw on the cover of the NY Times. I was sitting in a café in November, 1989, while she was trying to overthrow the US-backed fascists in El Salvador. Too bad those SAM's got intercepted en route from Nicaragua.
politics marijuana cannabis antiwar political iraq media social struggle israel cuba pirates environment labor afghanistan empire imperialism capitalism terrorism activism bullying bullies ecoterrorism guerrilla gardening irish hunger strike oil leaks oil spills social change
Creative Commons license
Commercial uses of this track are NOT allowed.
Adaptations of this track are NOT allowed to be shared.
You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the artist.
Artist picture
"If the great Phil Ochs were to rise from the dead today, he would probably be hailed as the new David Rovics." Andy Kershaw, BBC
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Author
David Rovics
Rights
David Rovics 2005 All Rights Reserved
Uploaded
May 17, 2005
Track Files
MP3
MP3 10.5 MB • 128 kbps • 0:00
Story behind the song
For a beautiful Salvadoran woman I saw in a photo on the cover of the New York Times. I was sitting in a café in Seattle in November, 1989, while she was trying to overthrow the US-backed fascists in El Salvador. Standing majestically on a rooftop in San Salvador, dressed in fatigues and an AK. Too bad those SAM's got intercepted en route from Nicaragua.
Lyrics
I can only guess at where you came from Did you grow up in the country Did your father spend his days with a basket on his back On someone's farm picking coffee When he came home from the fields did he throw you on his shoulders And take you on a pony ride When you went to bed with no food in your belly Did he hold you when you cried How many of your siblings gave in to the hunger That the healers couldn't save How many bodies did you pull out from the river For how many did you dig their grave When did you decide to leave the village Was it just something that you knew Was it just time for you to go or did you know Exactly what you set out to do (Chorus) Every song I've written has been a love song This one is just another Song for the love of an unknown soldier Did you spend years in the jungle fighting for your freedom Fighting for your people's liberation Did you watch your companeros die around you While you held fast to your vocation Did you make rocket launchers in your rebel hideouts Like your mother made papusas Did you dream the dreams of La Pasionaria Or those of Poncho Villa (Chorus) All I know is that I saw you on a rooftop in the city In a photo on the cover of the Times Long black hair flowing down, a machine gun in your hand In your face was freedom's ringing chimes Looking at your picture, one of a thousand killed that day In a moment I could feel that my heart grew And in all the trials of my life you know I can only hope to be as beautiful as you (Chorus) Created April, 2004 Copyright David Rovics 2004, all rights reserved
On 20 Playlists
Comments
Please sign up or log in to post a comment.