Barry Maguire's "Eve of Destruction"

America has long valued its system of personal rights and civil liberties. Arguably the most cherished, and at times, the most hotly controversial form of expression is freedom of speech. While the federal government has, at times, effectively hindered the common citizen’s right to an opinion, history has proven that the voice of the masses will find some outlet, and the complaints of the nation will be vocalized. In his song “Eve of Destruction,” Barry Maguire speaks from the perspective of the average American, using poetic devices to develop his criticism of the world at large.
Maguire begins the song with several contemporary allusions to set the time period and topic. He states, “The eastern world, it is exploding,” referring to the Vietnam War raging overseas. Directly disapproving of the federal voting policy, Maguire sings, “You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’,” with a heavy tone of sarcasm. He mocks the hypocrisy of the nation with a paradox: “You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’.” He also uses basic alliteration as a means of expressing his frustrations and worries, asking, “Can’t you feel the fears that I’m feeling today?” Alluding to the destructiveness of war, as well as nuclear proliferation, Maguire states that “If the button is pushed, then there’s no running away/ There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave.” This quote is also a prime example of assonance, which makes the didactic verse rhythmic and catchy.
Maguire continues with a series of critical allusions to the country’s moral shortcomings. In one stanza, he attacks the government, filled with “senators [who] don’t pass legislation,” and the prevailing racism of the time (“marches alone can’t bring integration/ When human respect is disintegratin’”). Maguire compares “all the hate there is in Red China” with the violence incurred by the civil rights marches of Selma, Alabama. He is censuring the prejudice of intolerant Americans as a whole with this one historical reference. Identifying once more the hypocritical stance of many citizens, he says, “Hate your…neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace,” which ironically, yet tragically, points out a widespread failure to practice the morality of one’s faith.
Maguire’s words still resonate with modern day issues in a very profound and applicable way. The world, it seems, is perpetually perched on the “eve of destruction,” swaying precariously between chaos and order. Thankfully, there are voices like that of Barry Maguire to tilt the globe onto the side of reason and sanity.