How It Happened

Lyrics

“Play it down now”, said the parent
To the child, “play it down”
“Don’t ask questions” said the teacher
To his students, “turn around”
“Not a word”, cried the bosses
To his workers, “or you will pay”
“It never happened”, said the policeman
To the witness, “look away”

“It’s not your business” said the landlord
To his tenant, “not your concern”
“Keep your eyes shut,” said the preacher
To the Christian, “Or you burn”
“Come and join us,” said the bigot
To the frightened, “stem the tide”
“Are you with me,” said the bully
To the weakened, “earn your pride.”

“Choose a weapon,” said the tyrant
To his soldiers, “join our fight”
“Kill the vermin,” hailed the Nazis
To the cowards of crystal night.
Burn down the olive groves said the settler
To those who think this land is theirs by right.

Song Description

‘How it Happened,’ is a lyric which I was attracted to by the simplicity of the construction but the last line in his original version really caught my eye.

“Kill the vermin,” hailed the Nazis
To the cowards of Crystal Night.
In the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism, it is forbidden to draw comparisons between the Nazis and contemporary Israeli state policy. It is obviously true that very few things can be compared to the industrial slaughter of 6 million Jewish people (slavery perhaps). Nevertheless, particular Nazi actions can surely be compared to other terrible acts and the 1938 horror of Kristalnacht is one of those: marauding gangs humiliating, attacking, beating up, and killing their (innocent) enemies, destroying their businesses, their homes and religious sites. The West Bank is the constant victim of the very same kind of attacks by illegal settlers with, of course, the support of the Israeli state. And so, with John’s permission, we have added the line
Burn down the olive groves said the settler
To those who think this land is theirs by right.

How It Happened Appears On