Extra Credit Assignment: All Classes

Extra credit opportunity: bring in an example of a protest song or poem from either the Civil War era or one of the wars of the 20th or 21st century. Download the video if you can, and make sure you include a copy of the lyrics! US History 11, you have the advantage here--there are a lot of songs available beginning with the Vietnam War and you'll be able to find many examples within the past 20 years. Examples: Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, Nena, U2, the Beatles, Neil Young, The Ramones, Scorpions, P!NK, Yellowcard, etc etc etc


Example: Yellowcard's "Two Weeks From Twenty" (from their "Lights and Sounds" album)
Jimmy wasn't really popular
He had a couple of friends back home
Sooner or later they're all gettin' out
So he had to join up alone

He was dreamin' of the ivy leagues
Since he was only three feet tall
Get the hell out of Jersey
And then he would never look back at all

And then you hear em' say 
That miles away
We lost another one that we sent with a gun
They're gonna miss him
He was two weeks from twenty
And there's still no shame
From the man to blame

Jimmy never had a reason to stay
Cause all the factories shut down
All he had was a line for his name
So he could sign away his right to be proud
He tried to kiss her on the way out the door
She just put her little hand on his face
I don't understand why you're leavin', she said
But I hope you're gonna ask me to wait

And then you hear em' say 
That miles away
We lost another one that we sent with a gun
His lady missed him
He was two weeks from twenty
And there's still no shame
From the man to blame

Jimmy's mother went to capitol hill
So she could fill her heart up with joy
Maybe shake a few hands while she's there
And tell em' thank you sir for takin' my boy

And then you hear em' say 
That miles away
We lost another one that we sent with a gun
His momma missed him
He was two weeks from twenty
And there's still no shame
From the man to blame

No there's still no shame
And we're all to blame
We're all to blame
We're all to blame
We're all to blame
We're all to blame