Change The System … From Within ?

Thanks to Brewed Fresh Daily for catching danah boyd’s post.

I rely on Leonard Cohen’s poems and lyrics to keep me sane (no mean feat, considering that he was depressed for 30 or more years of his adult life).

I find it amazing that he wrote these words 15 years ago, on the album I’m Your Man.

First, We Take Manhattan …

They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
for trying to change the system from within.
I’m coming now, I’m coming to reward them.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

I’m guided by a signal in the heavens.
I’m guided by the birthmark on my skin.
I’m guided by the beauty of our weapons.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

I’d really like to live beside you, baby.
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes.
But you see that line that’s moving through the station?

I told you, I told you, told you that I was one of those.

You loved me as a loser,
but now you’re worried that I just might win.
You know the way to stop me,
but you don’t have the discipline.
How many nights I prayed for this,
to let my work begin.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

I don’t like your fashion business, mister.
I don’t like these drugs that keep you thin.
I don’t like what happened to my sister.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

I’d really like to live beside you, baby.
I love your body and your spirit and your clothes.
But you see that line that’s moving through the station?

I told you, I told you, told you that I was one of those.

And I thank you for the items that you sent me:
the monkey and the plywood violin.
I practised every night, now I’m ready.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

Remember me?
I used to live for music.
Remember me?
I brought your groceries in.
It’s Father’s Day, and everybody’s wounded.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

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