On Saturday night, Jan. 3, Willie Nelson performed the following song for the first time publicly, at a benefit concert for Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich held at the Austin Music Hall. Nelson said, “I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for president because he stands up for heartland Americans who are too often overlooked and unheard.”
There’s so many things going on in the world
Babies dying
Mothers crying
How much oil is one human life worth?
And what ever happened to peace on Earth?
We believe everything that they tell us
They’re gonna kill us
So we gotta kill them first
But I remember a commandment
Thou shall not kill
How much is that soldier’s life worth?
And whatever happened to peace on Earth?
(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we’ve been told from our birth
Hell they won’t lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar’s word worth?
And whatever happened to peace on Earth?
So I guess it’s just
Do unto others before they do it to you
Let’s just kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out
Is this what God wants us to do?
(Repeat Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we’ve been told from our birth
Hell they won’t lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar’s word worth?
And whatever happened to peace on Earth?
Now you probably won’t hear this on your radio
Probably not on your local TV
But if there’s a time, and if you’re ever so inclined
You can always hear it from me
How much is one picker’s word worth?
And whatever happened to peace on Earth?
But don’t confuse caring for weakness
You can’t put that label on me
The truth is my weapon of mass protection
And I believe truth sets you free
(Repeat Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we’ve been told from our birth
Hell they won’t lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar’s word worth?
And whatever happened to peace on Earth?
— Willie Nelson, Christmas Day 2003
This article appears in January 9 • 2004.