As a counterbalance to Eric’s recent post, I present this song written by Exuma and immortalized by Nina Simone on her 1971 album Here Comes the Sun.
“22nd Century” is one of those songs which so obviously functions as a work of prophecy that it scarcely requires an introduction, so I will simply let you have at it. Tomorrow has already become yesterday. Next stop: eternity!
— TB
There is no oxygen in the air
Men and women have lost their hair
Ashen faces, legs that stand
Ghost and goblins walk in this land
When tomorrow becomes yesterday
And tomorrow becomes eternityWhen the soul with the soul goes way beyond
When life is taken and there are no more babies born
When there is no one and there is everyone
When there is no one and there is everyoneTomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
It will be, it will be, it will be
It will be, it will beThe 21st century was here and gone
And the 20th century was the dawn
In the beginning of the end was the 21st
When the 20th century was at an end1990 was the year
When the plagues flooded the earth
1988 was the year
When men and women struck out for freedomAnd bloodletting was the thing that was
People said there was no cause
And there was no reason and there was no cause
1972 was right all the wayDrums and bugles blasting all through the day
Right wing, left wing, middle of the road
And side wind, back swing, back lash, whiplash
Grey stockings, red stockings
Liberation of women, liberation of men
Everybody carry your head lowTomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
It will be, it will be, it will be
It will beLiberation of animals
Prevention of cruelty to animals
Man and beast, flying and on flying
Flying things, revolution of musicPoetry, love and lives
Sex changing, changing, changing
Man is woman, woman is man
Even your brain is not your brainYour heart is a plastic thing that can be bought
There are no more the diseases that can't be caught
Man became the thing, that he wash up man
Truly became his godThat was the day
That man and woman truly became bored
Man became his good, man became his evil
Man became his god, and man became his devilTomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
It will be, it will be, it will beYoung women with their funny cars
Big dogs living in marble lofts
Young men die in the spring
Boys of seven falling in loveGive their lady fair a diamond ring
Wedding, wedding, wedding
You know a wedding ain't the thing
Don't want no preacher, don't want no preacherman preachingGive me your hand, and take my hand
This is better than anybody's preacher man, yeah
The truth, the truth is now unfold
It says somebody else, somebody else, so am I toldDon't sway me over, don't try to sway me over
To your day, on your day
Your day will go awayTomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
Tomorrow will be the 22nd century
It will be, it will be, it will beIt will be, it will be, it will be
It will be, it will be, it will be
It will be