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.
