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Bagels in Kiev Lyrics
Grandpop we had sweet days on the beach in Ventnor I remember
Wish we could walk along and you could watch the waves and talk the current Septembers
These days I’m not so sure who is getting along or if they were before
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
With the ladies dressed so nice in their ornate reds with satin textures
Have you since found some peace it seems I can’t escape all the war and violence
These days I’m not so sure who is getting along or if they were before
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
Lets just speak love
Bagels for everyone that’s the kind of thing you would have wanted there
should be lots to eat or how can they expect to get a tiring job done?
These days I’m not so sure who is getting along or if they were before
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
Wish we could walk along and you could watch the waves and talk the current Septembers
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
Have you since found some peace it seems I can’t escape all the war and violence
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
should be lots to eat or how can they expect to get a tiring job done?
I wasn’t there when Moses parted the sea I wasn’t there with you grandpop back in Kiev
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This song is about developing an understanding of the present's connection to the past with regard to the current violence and political unrest in the world.
The narrator understands that current tensions result from a history of important world events, yet he does not fully understand these connections, remarking that he was not around to witness WWII or the Israelites' escape from Egypt. Without personally witnessing such events, it is difficult to understand why we can't all "just speak love." The narrator wishes he could discuss this history with his deceased grandfather, who lived through WWII and would have interesting perspective.
Apparently the family of Avey Tare's grandfather came to the U.S. from Kiev when his grandfather was young (presumably in the early 1940's). For this reason, Avey is especially connected to the current events in Ukraine. His grandfather's parents were also bakers, which explains the bagels.
This song resonates with me a lot because, as someone born in the 90's, I've had a lot of similar thoughts and questions lately. Also I like bagels.
@wolverines Very concise and in my opinion accurate analysis! We need more comments like this. :)
@wolverines Very concise and in my opinion accurate analysis! We need more comments like this. :)