Pop songs with messages of peace were common in the Vietnam War era , and " Peace Train " was preceded by " Give Peace a Chance " in 1969 . Not everyone found Cat Stevens 's peace-themed song convincing , however . Robert Christgau criticized " Peace Train 's " message in his November 1972 '' Newsday '' review of a concert by Stevens at the New York Philharmonic Hall : " I do n't mind when Johnny Nash sings a charming ditty about how things are getting better , but when Stevens informs the world that we 're all on a peace train , I get annoyed . We 're not , and if Stevens ever stops shaking his head long enough to see clearly for a second , he might realize it . " Cat Stevens later converted to Islam , changed his name to Yusuf Islam , and reduced his public appearances , but during the Iraq War he commented on the song 's renewed relevance , saying : Peace Train ' is a song I wrote , the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions . There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again . As a member of humanity and as a Muslim , this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution . " Following the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 , the song was placed on the list of post-9 / 11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel . Yusuf Islam performed the song live at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert ceremony when Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh received the award . The interlude during the song where the background singers chant " Kumbayaba " was removed for this version . He also performed the song as part of a comedic skit at Jon Stewart 's Rally to Restore Sanity , and at the New Zealand national remembrance service for the Christchurch mosque shootings , held at Hagley Park on 29 March 2019
Christchurch mosque shootings
Christchurch mosque shootings
Peace Train