All Mixed Up

You may have figured out by now that I enjoy music with a message, and that Peter, Paul and Mary are one of my favorite groups.  They have recorded a song written by Pete Seeger, “All Mixed Up.”[1]

You know this language that we speak, is part German, Latin and part Creek
Celtic and Arabic all in a heap, well amended by the people in the street

The point of the song is that there is no pure race or language or culture.  We have taken from many cultures to come up with what we consider normal or routine.

I like Polish sausage, I like Spanish rice, and pizza pie is also nice
Corn and beans from the Indians here washed down by German beer

The third verse talks about physical characteristics of races that are “all mixed up”, too – including the Irish!

There were no red-headed Irishmen before the Vikings landed in Ireland
How many Romans had dark curly hair before they brought slaves from Africa?

(Actually, my Mom was Norwegian, and Dad often said we kids were not half-Norwegian, we are probably ALL Norwegian, as the Vikings invaded Ireland so many times!)

The point is, we can all be proud of our heritage, but we cannot be smug.  Every culture has added special things to our lives.  We should be grateful, not suspicious of the differences we encounter.

No race of man is completely pure, nor is anyone's mind, that's for sure.

And Mr. Seeger wraps it all up in the final verse:

This doesn't mean we will all be the same,
We'll have different faces and different names
Long live many different kinds of races
It's a difference of opinion that makes horse races
Just remember the rule about rules, brother
What could be right for one could be wrong for the other
And take a tip from La Belle France: "Vive la difference!"[2]

Nothing more needs to be said…..

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[1] For a video of the group playing the song, click here. 

[2] For complete lyrics, click here.