The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' Lyrics

Everything is lost-- uh oh!
But I know that you can take it to the Lord
Everything you want-- uh oh!
Is it all that you can gather for yourself?
Do you love a lot-- uh oh!
It's the love that changes gifts to everyone
Illinois is lost-- uh oh!
Is it strange that you perpetuate yourself?
You wonder what it costs-- uh oh!
It's the joy that he will carry to the door
Everything is lost-- uh oh!
Still I know that you can take it to the Lord
(All that he has given to the world)
13 Meanings

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Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Saul Alinsky was a notable community organizer (community organizing is, according to Wikipedia, when "people are brought together to act in common self-interest.") and critic of passive liberalism. The novel "The Jungle," by Upton Sincaid, is about the horrible working conditions of the Union Stock Yards during Alinsky's organization of the Back of the Yards neighborhood, which is in one of the 77 official "community areas" of Chicago.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

i love sufjan. i wish i could meet him and he would like me.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Saul Alinsky, not Paul Alinsky.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Ah, such a good song.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Ah, such a good song.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

this song makes me want to dance

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

WOOHOOOO YAYYYY

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Saul Alinsky is generally considered the father of community organizing.

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

are you sure it's "It's the love that changes gifts to everyone"

and not "it's the love that Jesus gives to everyone"?

QUOTE bbgamazing: "are you sure it's "It's the love that changes gifts to everyone" and not "it's the love that Jesus gives to everyone"? "

It does sound like that, or at least a play of words to sound like that.

Saul Alinsky's influence can be related to present day because of Obama's past experience with "Community Organizing" as a job. According to Saul tho, the answer to politics is a "say anything" attitude, to "win" in all of politics.

I think what Sufjan sings about is love, and...

Cover art for The Perpetual Self, or ''What Would Saul Alinsky Do?'' lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

QUOTE bbgamazing: "are you sure it's "It's the love that changes gifts to everyone" and not "it's the love that Jesus gives to everyone"? "

It does sound like that, or at least a play of words to sound like that.

Saul Alinsky's influence can be related to present day because of Obama's past experience with "Community Organizing" as a job. According to Saul tho, the answer to politics is a "say anything" attitude, to "win" in all of politics.

I think what Sufjan sings about is love, and how you can relate a "say anything" attitude with love.

"Still I know that you can take it to the Lord" "But I know that you can take it to the Lord"

Personally i see it as, not giving love to Saul Alinsky, or a politician, because of the attitude, but to give it to the Lord. If the play on words is intentional then the Lord = "Jesus" Christ. But if it isn't intentional, you can somewhat put together the fact that Sufjan sings about his own experiences, and then look at his Christian background.

My Interpretation

AFTERTHOUGHT: "Still I know that you can take it to the Lord" "But I know that you can take it to the Lord"

This also seems like it could be a play on words, with War, instead of Lord, its almost like they are said at the same time... SECRETS!!!! lol

Or i could be hearing things

 
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