CATCHING UP WITH WILLIE NELSON

Have you heard, or heard about, Willie Nelson's new antiwar song? It's called "Whatever Happened to Peace On Earth," and he sang it last week in Austin, Texas, at a fund-raising concert for Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich. "That's only the second protest song I've ever written," Nelson told the Austin American-Stateman, "but it just came pouring out."

There aren't many performers around with Nelson's courage, and that includes the Dixie Chicks. It's not just the outspoken lyrics of his new song that resonate with deep conviction; it's his unwillingness to back away from them that evinces rare belief and even rarer bravery. Here's the song:

What Ever Happened To Peace On Earth

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

(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

American-Statesman reporter Michael Corcoran asked Nelson whether he was concerned that "such biting questions as 'How much oil is one human life worth?' and 'How much is a liar's word worth?' might cause a backlash with conservative country music fans." Nelson replied, "I sure hope so. I don't care if people say, 'Who the hell does he think he is?' I know who I am."

The song does not have to identify the liar. We know who he is. Nor does it have to identify the guitar picker. We know him, too. And when it asks, "How much is one picker's word worth?," we know the answer to that: Plenty. Although I've heard from one correspondent that Nelson did not plan to record the song, Corcoran reports otherwise.

Nelson's first antiwar song, in case you're interested, was the powerful, elegaic "Jimmy's Road," which he sang at peace rallies during the 1991 Gulf War. It was released in 1992 on the not easily available, two-disc set "The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?" You can hear Nelson singing "Jimmy's Road" here. Have patience -- it takes time to load -- and turn up the sound.