No one learns much from history

by @mikeskliar

Liner Notes

#banjo I wrote this lyric last night... didn't have any music for it and thought about just posting it as lyrics only, but figured I'd make one last attempt- got out my old five string banjo (with the fifth string tuning assembly broken, so its now a four string banjo, which i actually flatpick, not being used to those banjo individual fingerpicky thingys..) .. anyway, enjoy.

not sure what I think of it all

Lyrics

I can hear distant voices, whispering wisdom like a code Faint wheel marks in the dust, tracing the path of an ancient road But all our wagons want to take that new highway Thinking things would be different today

Theres only one truth as far as I can see In the end no one learns much from history

I could cite you examples, we all could all name six or seven All those little things that stop us from making this place heaven Every generation’s gotta screw it up themselves The knowledge that was out there, stuck on dusty shelves

The mistakes of the past come back, guaranteed In the end no one learns much from history

Bridge-
you thought we were immune/ but here it comes, the same old tune

I’ve lived long enough now to see a pattern that always repeats Everything’s a cycle, sooner or later, success turns to defeat We could have seen this coming if we had that crystal ball The spectacular rise, the tragic fall

Theres only one truth as far as I can see In the end no one learns much from history

Comments

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I really like to hear the banjo. used as a musical backing, not bluegrass. The change to minor gives a special emphasis. Song lyric and singing A+ , with truth feeling and a lesson. All good things.

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Is it Repeating itself? The banjo playing drives this along nicely and sounds smooth with your fine playing and the way you recorded it. We can only Hope that the next generation will learn from the mistakes of the past.

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I really love the banjo sound and this is so pleasant. Another Skliar special that could only be you—with whatever instrument you are using. Excellent!

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So true! Very incisive. As a parent I see how my kids need to make mistakes for themselves to learn the lesson. Book learning isn't nearly as effective. Loving the banjo. I enjoyed this!

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Sadly I think you're right. Or they seem to take it as a challenge to go and learn the wrong things. People!

Tough truths. Very well conveyed.

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Yup the banjo was a good choice! Unfortunately I think you are spot on! We don’t! Really nice Mike!

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The thought regularly crosses my mind too, so it’s nice to hear it articulated so well in a song. Unfortunately the more distant that history becomes the less and less we seem to pay it any heed. This comes across like an old Woody Guthrie number, love that banjo. Good words, Mike.

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Greater truth was never spoken. I sure wish they did. I'm glad you stuck it out and tried one more time. Nice lyrics.

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@daddyschu

Nicely done sir! The inability to learn, or willful decision NOT to learn is indeed aggravating. I feel like I might have a song about that buried inside somewhere.... hmmmmm.

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