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I Don't Want Solidarity If It Means Holding Hands With You Lyrics
Let's stop this talk of privilege because the songs that we sing
are as much a product of our privileges
as the clothes on my back or the phone call I made to my mom last night
Let's stop this talk of action because action comes easy
it's the moments just before that are hard
when I've got to get my voice and my fist on the same page as my heart
as my heart
And let's stop this talk of them because the things we find deplorable in politicians, CEOs and cops
are the same things that will tear ourselves apart
and let's stop this talk of words because words like dishonesty selfishness and laziness and greed
aren't as distance to us as we'd like to believe
to believe.
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
but I know that when you pick up the pieces,
the only thing left will be the same empty rubble
that's made up every revolution that I've ever known
to make me believe and lose faith in humanity
in the same empty breath of hot air
And they say that the beauty's in the streets
but when I look around, it seems more like defeat
And I'm afraid that this fight that we're all caught up in
will leave us the same as that which we oppose
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
But I know that we can pick up the pieces and build something new, something different
that's not like every revolution that I've ever known
that can make me believe and have faith in humanity
and we'll all breath a breath of fresh air
are as much a product of our privileges
as the clothes on my back or the phone call I made to my mom last night
Let's stop this talk of action because action comes easy
it's the moments just before that are hard
when I've got to get my voice and my fist on the same page as my heart
as my heart
are the same things that will tear ourselves apart
and let's stop this talk of words because words like dishonesty selfishness and laziness and greed
aren't as distance to us as we'd like to believe
to believe.
but I know that when you pick up the pieces,
the only thing left will be the same empty rubble
that's made up every revolution that I've ever known
to make me believe and lose faith in humanity
in the same empty breath of hot air
but when I look around, it seems more like defeat
And I'm afraid that this fight that we're all caught up in
will leave us the same as that which we oppose
But I know that we can pick up the pieces and build something new, something different
that's not like every revolution that I've ever known
that can make me believe and have faith in humanity
and we'll all breath a breath of fresh air
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no one else thinks this is the greatest song ever?
From the liner notes:
"This song isn't meant to be an indictment of direct action, and it's sure not intended to be a love song. It's a song about not worrying if actions or rhetoric are too radical or too reserved and just focusing on making sure that one's intentions are pure and that one treats other people with respect and empathy. It seems like the "left" is really concerned with ideological consistency, and is always squabbling over questions like whether a particular direct action is too alienating or whether it's exactly what's needed to push for change or whether voting will make a difference or just validate an oppressive system that will never help those who need it. I can't do that kind of ethical calculus. And I guess I've decided that I don't need to. One thing of which I am sure is that if we don't focus on relationships with each other, any movement or revolution is sure to fail - the oppressed will become the oppressors and we'll be every bit as harmful as those at whom we point our fingers. I don't care about rhetorical consistency and I don't care about tactics. I'll settle for trying to treat those around me the way I want to be treated and on living life on my own terms at the same time that I take to the streets while banging on drums and shouting slogans"
It's definitely up there.
this is an amazing song i especially like the chorus' first line
so much of me wants to unite with everyone, but when i really think about the people i'd have to associate with in order to do that, the more i don't want solidarity.
Person above me: I think the point of the song tile is to say that's how most people think. Not that that's how they should think. It's saying, that of course you have to be able to hold the had of the people you like to have solidarity. That's practically what the word means. Treat people the way you want to be treated regardless of how they are.
"Let's stop this talk of action because action comes easy it's the moments just before that are hard"
That line blows my mind. It's so amazing.