Being a book writer during these unprecedented times may not be the easiest thing to do. There’s a lot of distractions, trending topics, news and concerns, especially with a nation in turmoil over the 2020 Presidential Election. As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough!
A friend posted the following, which led to this post:
We need to go back and listen to the music of our past and learn. #catstevens
It had me searching for the lyrics I had sung in my youth — 1971 to be precise — and those long-ago days of innocence. Despite the scandals of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate, the world still felt safe in that era. America still felt like America. Cat Steven’s song “Peace Train” told us so.
1971 — Year of the book writer
An assembly of fabulous books came out in 1971, some that I read with childish interest and others that would change the national conversation about literature.
- The Lorax by Dr. Suess
- The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
- The Little House Collection (Little House, #1-9) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing in the Pits? by Erma Bombeck
- In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall
- The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
- Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks (as anonymous)
In addition to these book writer feats, some talented lyric writers emerged as well. Many fabulous songs were crafted and performed — including “Peace Train” — and it calmed the collective nerves of the nation.
Back to Cat Stevens and a 50th Anniversary
Despite our current political climate, or perhaps due to this climate, Cat Stevens has delved into the role of book writer! HarperCollins Children’s Books announced on January 12, 2021 that it will publish Peace Train, a picture book inspired by the 1971 song by the same name.
It has inspired me to share the lyrics to the original song, taking us back exactly 50 years and bolstering our spirits. On the half-century anniversary of “Peace Train,” I think the sentiments are oddly prescient and may inspire the book writer in all of us.
Now, I’ve been happy lately
Thinkin’ about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun.Oh, I’ve been smilin’ lately
Dreamin’ about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Some day it’s going to come‘Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides a peace train.
Oh, peace train take this country.
Come take me home again.Now, I’ve been smiling lately
Thinkin’ about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun.Oh, peace train soundin’ louder.
Glide on the peace train.
Ooh, ah, ee, ah, ooh, ah.
Come on, now peace train.Yes, peace train holy roller.
Everyone jump on the peace train.
Ooh, ah, ee, ah, ooh, ah.
Come on, now peace train.Get your bags together.
Go bring your good friends too
Because it’s gettin’ nearer
It soon will be with you.Now, come and join the livin’.
https://www.metrolyrics.com/peace-train-lyrics-cat-stevens.html
It’s not so far from you
And it’s gettin’ nearer
Soon it will all be true.
Are you on a quest to be a book writer?
If so, I’d be honored to help with book editing, manuscript evaluation, or ghostwriting. Let me know if I can assist in jump starting (or perhaps finishing) your project.
Email me at melaniesaxton@icloud.com and let’s get started!