Peter Yarrow Dies at 86

Day Is Done: As you have almost certainly heard - Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary - has died, at the age of 86. The Associated Press reports:

Peter Yarrow, the singer-songwriter best known as one-third of Peter, Paul and Mary, the folk-music trio whose impassioned harmonies transfixed millions as they lifted their voices in favor of civil rights and against war, has died. He was 86.

Yarrow, who also co-wrote the group’s most enduring song, “Puff the Magic Dragon,” died Tuesday in New York, publicist Ken Sunshine said. Yarrow had bladder cancer for the past four years.

“Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life. The world knows Peter Yarrow the iconic folk activist, but the human being behind the legend is every bit as generous, creative, passionate, playful, and wise as his lyrics suggest,” his daughter Bethany said in a statement.

Abq Jew will leave it to the many, many others who knew Peter Yarrow - or met him, or heard him perform - to provide a proper eulogy. There's plenty of them, and they're all over the Internet.

Instead, here is Abq Jew's tribute - Day Is Done, written by Peter Yarrow in 1968. One of Abq Jew's favorite PP&M classics, which he used to sing to his son - when both of them were a lot younger.

Wikipedia tells us -

The song was written as an anti-war song during the Vietnam War era. According to Yarrow, it was written from the perspective of his younger brother who faced the possibility of getting drafted into the army.

Yarrow performed it as the opening song at a concert during the anti-war march he helped organized in Washington in November 1969. It became one of the best-known protest songs of the era. 

Yarrow said that the message of the song is that 

"Children will lead us to a better world".

First - a version with Peter, Paul and Mary; the Smothers Brothers; Donovan; and Jennifer Warnes.

Click here for video

Day Is Done

Peter Yarrow

Tell me why youre crying, my son

I know youre frightened, like everyone

Is it the thunder in the distance you fear?

Will it help if I stay very near? I am here

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

Day is done, day is done, day is done, day is done

Do you ask why Im sighing, my son?

You shall inherit what mankind has done

In a world filled with sorrow and woe

If you ask me why this is so, I really dont know

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

Day is done, day is done, day is done, day is done

Tell me why youre smiling my son

Is there a secret you can tell everyone?

Do you know more than men that are wise?

Can you see what we all must disguise through your loving eyes?

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

Day is done, day is done, day is done, day is done

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

And if you take my hand my son

All will be well when the day is done

And here - the classic version with Peter, Paul and Mommy. And with the incomparable Paul Prestopino, of blessed memory, on banjo.

Click here for video

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