The Rolling Stones recorded ‘Salt of the Earth’ in May 1968, according to Wikipedia.
The song was reportedly inspired by John Lennon, with Jagger attempting to write a working-class anthem. The lyrics lament the fate of us average people.
Written almost 60 years ago, these two stanzas foretold where we’d be today.
Our leaders (state, federal, and that big bad buddy) are just gambling for their own gain or that of their sad kind.
Arguments around morality have vanished:
Raise your glass to the hard working people,
Let’s drink to the uncounted heads,
Let’s think of the wavering millions,
Who need leaders but get gamblers instead.
Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter,
His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows,
And a parade of the gray-suited grafters,
A choice of cancer or polio.


For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.