(1974) The Times They Are NOT A Changin’
THE TIMES THEY ARE NOT a CHANGIN’
By J.D.Murphy 1974
Don’t gather ‘round people from
your comfortable homes
the action we’re taking can
be done on the phone
and accept the fact that
you’ll be throwing no stones
no time of yours will be wasted
so don’t bother moving
we’ll go it alone
For The Times Are Not a Changin’
Come sightseers and heretics
who speak with no yen
who can’t keep their eyes open
in spite of the sin
so talk all you want midst
the oil and the din
you won’t be escapin’ the blamin’
for the differences now
seem later to win
For The Times Are Not a Changin’
Run senators and congressmen
in your brand-new suits
it’s okay to pretend that
you’re not in cahoots
for he who gets caught
will find no rebuke
there’s a ritual out there being created
everyone’s going for the windows
and crawling over walls
For The Times Are Not a Changin’
Mothers and fathers throughout
the land
only sermonize the Lord’s
small commands
their sons and their daughters
are endlessly bland
their old road heartily laden
they can’t move out of the new one
‘cause it’s made out of sand
For The Times Are Not a Changin’
The dreams are connived
The hopes they are dashed
Slow ones now will
later get smashed
the order is mutely behavin’
and the worst ones now
will most likely last
For The Times Are Not a Changin’
J.D. Murphy is an American businessman, author, and filmmaker best known for co-founding the University of Phoenix. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1946, Murphy studied at San Jose State University and later taught there while running a community mental health program early in his career. In 1976 he helped launch the University of Phoenix with John Sperling, serving in senior administrative roles focused on government affairs and accreditation before resigning in 1997. As a filmmaker and writer, Murphy produced and wrote Valley of the Heart’s Delight (2006) and has authored books including Jury Rigging in the Court of Public Opinion, Mission Forsaken: The University of Phoenix Affair with Wall Street, and American Incendiary Populism.