Willie Nelson writes tune for Kucinich

Country music legend Willie Nelson has written a campaign song for the Democratic presidential candidate he’s endorsed. Nelson has penned the lyrics and music of a song for 2004 candidate Dennis Kucinich, an Ohio Congressman. The song will be performed for the first time on Saturday at a fundraising concert in Austin, Texas. It’s titled “What Ever Happened to Peace on Earth” and starts with references to “Babies dying, Mothers crying, How much oil is one human life worth and what ever happened to peace on earth.” The song criticizes Bush Administration policies without mentioning the President by name and quotes one of the Biblical “10 Commandments” — “thou shall not kill.” Nelson refers to the American public as a “bewildered herd” that still believes “everything we’ve been told.” Nelson criticizes the media, too, saying the song won’t be heard on television or radio. Kucinich aides say the song’s not recorded yet, so Radio Iowa can’t play it for you today. Other performers like Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald and Michelle Shocked will appear with Nelson at Saturday’s Kucinich fundraiser in Austin, and it’ll be broadcast live on the Kucinich campaign website, www.kucinich.us.