Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Sweet America






Well I think it's time I'm leaving Oklahoma
There's 49 more ways to live my life
America, I'm sure that I don't know you
And I do believe you're worth another try

Sweet America, eulogize America
Then fall down on your knees and cry
Sweet America, sing about America
Then fall down on your knees and cry

Some of you say you're fourth generation
Some of you say you're part Cherokee
America, to me I see you naked
While others see just what they want to see

Sweet America, eulogize America
Then fall down on your knees and cry
Sweet America, sing about America
Then fall down on your knees and cry




I love California
But I'm watching it die
I'm watching it die

Sweet America, eulogize America
Then fall down on your knees and cry
Sweet America, sing about America
Then fall down on your knees and cry

Sweet America, eulogize America
Sing about America, sweet America
Sweet America, eulogize America
Sing about America, sweet America




This isn't the version I wanted to post, but the one I heard in my head simply wasn't available. It was by Barry Greenfield, but a much more luxe version with the first few notes of the American national anthem played on chimes. I woke up this morning with these lines in my head:

I love California
But I'm watching it die
I'm watching it die

Then I realized that, like Save the Country by Laura Nyro/The Fifth Dimension, it was a perfect anthem for these times. These melancholy, frightening times. This was written by an Englishman, I think - haven't had time to research it, there are so many miseries to attend to! So much trauma. This morning I asked myself, why do I feel this weird elation, almost euphoria sometimes? Then it came to me: I'm in crisis mode. I do great in a crisis, lousy all the rest of the time. Adrenaline mobilizes, "fight" supercedes "flight" - but only for a while. Those resources are only to be pulled out and used when they absolutely must.

I've never loved America, but I AM watching it die. And there does not seem to be one damn thing I can do about it. 

Monday, July 4, 2016

America my friend





And so once again,
My dear Johnny, my dear friend,
And so once again you are fighting us all,
And when I ask you why,


You raise your sticks and cry, and I fall,
Oh, my friend,
How did you come
To trade the fiddle for the drum,


You say I have turned,
Like the enemies you've earned,
But I can remember,
All the good things you are,


And so I ask you please,
Can I help you find the peace and the star,
Oh, my friend,
What time is this
To trade the handshake for the fist


And so once again,
Oh, America my friend,
And so once again,
You are fighting us all,


And when we ask you why,
You raise your sticks and cry and we fall,
Oh, my friend,
How did you come,
To trade the fiddle for the drum


You say we have turned,
Like the enemies you've earned,
But we can remember,
All the good things you are,


And so we ask you please,
Can we help you find the peace and the star,
Oh my friend,
We have all come,
To fear the beating of your drum


Joni Mitchell