About this episode In 'The Turning of the Wheel,' experience today's top U.S. headlines transformed into a timeless folk ballad, sung by a wandering storyteller who weaves the news into an ancient, human tapestry. This captivating rendition reveals the enduring stories behind current events, reminding listeners of our shared history and the cyclical nature of change. Through heartfelt melodies and poetic storytelling, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how today's headlines echo through the ages.
0:00 The autumn wind blows down the Mall0:04 Past monuments that have seen it all0:08 In Washington, the clocks tick low0:12 A fight 'bout how the money should go0:16 The doors might shutter, the gears might grind0:21 Leaving a whole lot of folks behind0:25 They draw their lines and they make their stand0:29 Another harvest fight in a promised land0:33 Oh, the wheel keeps turning, the story's the same0:38 Just different faces and a different name0:42 The banker, the builder, the king, and the clown0:46 Spinning their tales in this American town0:50 From the morning paper to the evening sigh0:54 Another verse goes rolling by0:59 Down in Detroit, the line is still1:03 By the empty gates on a grassy hill1:07 For a fairer share of the wealth they've made1:11 A promise broken, a trust betrayed1:16 With picket signs held in their hands1:20 They're fighting for what a worker understands1:24 A good day's wage for a long day's toil1:28 Sons and daughters of the factory soil1:33 Oh, the wheel keeps turning, the story's the same1:37 Just different faces and a different name1:41 The banker, the builder, the king, and the clown1:45 Spinning their tales in this American town1:49 From the morning paper to the evening sigh1:54 Another verse goes rolling by1:58 Meanwhile the wizards of wire and code2:02 Are planting seeds on a digital road2:06 They're teaching the shadows how to think and speak2:11 A future born, both powerful and weak2:15 A ghost in the shell, a mind in the cloud2:19 Whispering answers to the searching crowd2:23 Some call it progress, some call it a threat2:28 A story whose ending ain't written yet2:32 And the old-time singer just tunes his guitar2:36 Under a silent, digital star2:40 He's heard of floods and he's heard of drought2:44 He's seen new ideas come in and go out2:49 And the question hangs in the cool night air2:53 Is it hope or is it a new despair?2:57 Oh, the wheel keeps turning, the story's the same3:01 Just different faces and a different name3:06 The banker, the builder, the king, and the clown3:10 Spinning their tales in this American town3:14 From the morning paper to the evening sigh3:18 Another verse goes rolling by
