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1. |
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If activists are cynics because they're always so mad,
then tell me what are you the one who says you can't change anything.
You can't change anything.
So why even try?
Are you the kind of person who gives a bum your change
or do you cross the street, a chill runs down your spine.
He's not getting mine.
I pay my taxes
they sit on their asses.
Were you the kid back in school
saw your friends cheating on the big test
while you just sat and guessed.
So you told the teacher.
You should have been a preacher.
And are you scared now you're getting old,
your kids are so much smarter they don't do as they're told
you were never so bold
they believe in something
more than greed and consumption
A child could see through your ignorant guise
your bravado hides your fear of change, hope, a better life
your soul crushed by the weight of lies
hate what's all around you
beauty's never found you
The power structures in this world are comprised
of spiritual, moral failures like you
what are we gonna do?
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2. |
Does It Matter?
02:17
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I wrote you a record still we can't be friends. But this one's for me this one's for the end - for decay and everything that dies. Which is every pretty thing in this world. I guess the worms are god, the worms eat decomposing girls. They were beauties once, is their beauty in their souls? God only know where we're gonna go. Well I hope there's wine, I hope it doesn't snow. I've had enough, you're leaving? - no you're not. This your town, this is your town, you can't change that now. They built another Tim Horton's they're tearing some school down. I feel like a mad cow and no one wants to eat me. Let me tell you 'bout your blood winter kid. It ain't California sunshine, it's ice. I stole that line from a friend of mine. I miss Joe Strummer and I never even met him. He changed my life this world won't ever forget him. But as far as we go is anybody gonna know that we were even here? And does it matter? Because after all, we live forever.
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3. |
Ode To Raindogs
04:53
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We’re lost in the rain
We can’t find our way back home today
I’m lost in the rain
I can’t find my way back home today
If you are my lady
Then baby I’m your tramp
Look at what the cat dragged in
A bottle and a guitar amp
look at this mess
New Orleans is gone I guess
They left the poor to die
Don’t worry the president’s gonna find out why
And up here we’re quiet
It’s too cold to start a riot
When the sky is blue in winter
It’s the coldest too
Babe when I feel your touch
I still get weak it still means as much
As it ever did
Just a Tom Waits song and my favourite kiss
In love with a world
So much pain so unforgiving
In love with a girl that can be so sweet
We just go on living
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4. |
Tides
04:22
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welfare mothers make better lovers
except when they don't have a bed to make love in
outside it's November
I'm sure you remember
the cold of this city as you fumble with your car keys
the whole world is watching the man on the TV who pushes a button and jet planes go screaming into the desert like we see in movies that are made on location in southern California.
we won't forget the Nazis, we can rest assured
but genocide in Africa we can't be so sure
moral indifference instead of every human's shame
let them slaughter each other
they're gonna die of AIDS anyway
the guy down the alley who screams and he shakes
well he's got a problem but that's not what's wrong with this place
it's the kids in the suburbs weaned on boredom and guns
but you're not from the Bronx kid, you're white why don't you try to have fun?
welfare mothers make better lovers
Neil Young should remember
southern man the tide's coming in, you'd better run.
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5. |
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They’re killing kids and no one cares
We can’t find god anywhere
Children murdered in the rain
Let it free their souls again
All this pain all these things
We weren’t gonna let happen again
They have. We failed.
Our first world crisis high gas prices
Potholes and a tax rebate
You don’t have to go there but you should still care
Whole families slaughtered like mad cows
Fuck your conscience blockers:
‘It’s not our problem’
‘it’s a different culture’
It’s sovereignty’
‘we have our own lives’
‘one day we all die’
‘I’d rather it be them than me’
Every war breaks my heart
As long as this goes on
Justice and freedom are just fucking lies
Written in the blood of the slaves who died
In the name of imperial glory.
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The City Streets Edmonton, Alberta
Rick Reid, Matt Leddy, Mark Chmilar. 2005-2013. Edmonton/Montreal.
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