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They're Rioting In Africa Lyrics
Artist: The Kingston Trio
Intro: Time limits us right now, and this actual number that we're going to play now will be featured on our nex album, The Kingston Trio plays John Foster Dulles (come fly with me).
They're rioting in Africa, they're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida, and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.
The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles.
Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil, and thankful, and proud,
For mans' been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud.
And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off, and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa, there's strife in Iran.
What nature doesn't do to us, will be done by our fellow man.
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Comments/Interpretations
this was written by sheldon harnick in 1953 and later (much later) recorded by the kingston trio and then by harry belefonte
I loved the trio when i first heard their stuff still do. I'm 73
Their stuff is still current isn't it
Just listening to the news (which I never do for obvious reasons) and thought of this song. Nope, nothing has changed.
2 girls sang this song for our 9th grade program in mid 1960. It started running through my mind and had too look it up. Still relevant after 53 years.
Barbara, I agree totally. Same thing happened to me after watching the news one night. And we are considered an "advanced" species?????
History repeats itself. The song is still pertinent today. Refer to George Santana for more.
Those that do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.Its really a shame we have come full circle.
These lyrics have always been pertinent.
At the top of this page is an ad in Spic. As you are quite the un-American site, I will eliminate you from all further use. As I am retired, I also have the time to contact all of your advertisers and let them know that you are actively encouraging illegal beaners to come and remain here.
This song was written with 'Robert' in mind. What a troll!.
"Robert" is clearly one who doesn't like anybody very much. What a sad way to live your life!
Merry Christmas, Robert. What a wonderful way you found to spread joy on Christmas Eve!
A song from the distant past. It still resonates. Hope my English is good enough for poor Robert.
I first heard the Kingston Trio do this song in the late 1950's. At the time I thought it was simply amusing. Reflecting back now at age 69, I more fully comprehend the sadly ironic way it portrays humanity. Yes, the decades have rolled by, but we, as humans, still wallow in our collective inability to live in reasonable harmony with one another. It's an unfortunate tarnish to our many shining accomplishments as Homo sapiens.
I guess Robert from 2012 doesn't understand how ads are served on sites like this. Plus he needs to learn about how he can get an ad blocker for his computer. Sheesh.
This song has been going through my head for weeks! Things haven't changed in the world - they have just deteriorated! I love the discord at the end of the song!
Actually nuclear war is far less likely now than in the past. Of course that makes conventional and non-symetrical (terrorists versus infantry) warfare more likely. Every silver lining has a cloud wrapped arround it.
Hey? How about good humor with a twist of irony. The Kingston Trio were tops.
I am surprised more folks have not been thinking about this song with Trump as President. May most of them were not around in the sixties.
Things haven't changed much since this song came out in the 60's.
We would sing this song during breaks in army basic training for fun. That was in 1966. We trained for CBR but never thought much about it. Best review that manual and clean my mask.
I first heard this song in the 1950s just gets more relevant especially the strife in Iran!
I'm pretty sure the songwriter credits list Tom Lehrer as the author.
I was reading this morning about how the rioting in France had spread to Belgium and this song came immediately to mind. Despite all the efforts to achieve peace in the world, the people of the world just don't seem to want it. If we have evolved, why does it always seem out of reach? I can't speak for The Trio, but I think the answer lies in Genesis 3. May God forgive us for turning our backs on Him.
texas still needs rain...
I agree with the tweet by Gordy. It seems the more things change the more they remain the same just check out the tweet by "tom dooley on 12/31/2018
Isn't it ironic that this marvelous trio was broken up by POLITICAL disagreement... among THEMSELVES... they are missed but not forgotten.
THE WHOLE WORLD IS INDEED FESTERING WITH UNHAPPY SOULS........
Still hanging in there despite Covid-19 and Donald Trump... does the nightmare ever end?
I've been thinking about this song for months. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.
How Prophetic! I remember every word!!!
Memorized the song as a senior in High School. Thanks for the refresher.
I’m 80 and have had this refrain running through my mind all these years. My kids and grandkids don’t appreciate the irony. I guess you had to be there. Thanks for the confirmation
I'm 86. Change the words a little and the song's still pertinent. Sad. Loved The Kingston Trio.
Whether Vietnam, Ukraine, Brazil…the song is timeless
Just listened to the news and this song popped into my mind…..sadly, it’s still relevant….grew up in this era and heard this song many times but this is the first time the irony that it is a minuet hit me. Sigh….
Just listened to the news and this song popped into my mind…..sadly, it’s still relevant….grew up in this era and heard this song many times but this is the first time the irony that it is a minuet hit me. Sigh….
With Trump elected president for a 2nd time (refrain) I wonder what the Kingston Trio would be singing now… or if they wine allowed to sing it…
I remember my dad laughing hilariously to the Kingston Trios version of this song in the early 60’s. Here we are days away from 2025 and NOTHING has changed. “Will be done by our fellow man”
SNL, Daily Show, et al and the whole USA, all desperately need a Tom Lehr today, for sanity maintenance.
I first saw them in 1958 at the Hungary I in San Francisco. At that time they were the warm-up act for professor Irwin Cory, “the world‘s formal authority“. It’s probably the best club show I’ve ever seen. I still love their music and think of this song as a commentary on the current day and age.
I was a fan of the Kingston Trio from the first time I heard them as the 50s morphed into the 60s. In high school, a classmate of mine introduced me to Tom Lehrer, completing the team of deadly sarcasm for once and for all. Even though I've never seen evidence of either act touring since we entered the 21st century, they will live in fond memories forever.