We can talk about it now
It's that same old riddle, only starting from the middle
I'd fix it but I don't know how
Well, we could try to reason, but you might think it treason
One voice for all, echoing along the hall (echoing along the hall)
Don't give up on Father Clock
We can talk about it now

Come, let me show you how
To keep the wheels turning, you've got to keep the engines churning
Well, did you ever milk a cow?
I had the chance one day, but I was all dressed up for Sunday
Everybody, everywhere, do you really care?
Well then, pick up your heads and walk
We can talk about it now

It seems to me, we've been holding something
Underneath our tongues
I'm afraid if you ever got a pat on the back
It would likely burst your lungs, oh
Stop me if I should sound kinda down in the mouth
But I'd rather be burned in Canada than to freeze here in the South

Pulling that eternal plough
We've got to find a sharper blade, or have a new one made
Rest a while and cool your brow
Don't you see there's no need to slave, the whip is in the grave
No salt, no trance, you know it's safe now to take a backward glance
Because the flames have turned to chalk
We can talk about it now
We can talk about it now


Lyrics submitted by CharlatanSin

We Can Talk Lyrics as written by Richard Manuel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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We Can Talk song meanings
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  • +1
    Song Meaning

    From Levon's autobiography, "This Wheel's On Fire": "It's a funny song that really capture the way we spoke to one another; lots of outrageous rhymes and corny puns. Richard just got up one morning, sat down at the piano, and started playing this gospel music that became this song..."

    AllHailDioon January 19, 2014   Link

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