How Can You Live in the Northeast

Paul Simon

We heard the fireworks
Rushed out to watch the sky
Happy-go-Lucky
Fourth of July

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river when the flood water pours from the mouth?
How can you be a Christian? How can you be a jew? How can you be a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Hindu... how can you?

Weak as the winter sun, we enter life on Earth
Names and Religion come just after date of birth
And everybody gets a tongue to speak
and everyone hears an inner voice
a day at the end of the week to wonder and rejoice
If the answer is infinite light, why do we sleep in the dark?

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river when the flood water pours from the mouth?
How can you tattoo your body? Why do you cover your head?
How can you eat from a rice bowl- the holy man only breaks bread?

Oooh-ooh Oooh-ooh

We watched the fireworks, 'till they were fireflies
Followed the path of stars
Over the endless skies

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river when... flood water pours from the mouth?

I have been given all i wanted.
Only three generations off the boat.
I have harvested and i have planted.
I am wearing my Father's old coat.


Lyrics submitted by GrungyBeatle

How Can You Live In The Northeast? Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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How Can You Live in the Northeast song meanings
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    General Comment

    reference to Jesus: The holy man only breaks bread? Yes empathy and compassion is a must. But to empathize with another's religion and way of life is nearly impossible. In the name of Allah extremists kill, Christians heckle others about hell, some Hindu's in India want to rid other practicing Christians in their nation, Buddhists rid their desire and believe in no soul and no God, and Jews are the seemingly most innocent who are persecuted and scapegoated for society's ills. Paul Simon is right in his observation to say "How can you?" Even Atheists say "How can you?" in their absolute resolve against beliefs in a God or higher deity. Humanity is divided. Makes me believe something went wrong at the start of Creation and something is brewing to unite us all. Personally that is where my faith comes in. We may not empathize with other people's beliefs but as a blessed loving person said "we ought to respect someone else's faith.'

    GrungyBeatleon March 12, 2009   Link

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