After listening to the song and reading the chorus lyric, I contend that NY uses the line "time is runnin' out; let's roll" not only in reference to our war on terrorism and what Mr. Beamer did and said on 9/11, but also to comment on the situation of our disappearing liberties in general in the US and in the world. I think he sees what we see, Tiger. I think he might even be a Christian..."If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find me," the Lord has said...and NY always was a seeker.
PS - I love you. Can I be your "Cowgirl in the Sand"?
I think he understands freedom and can see the loss of it better than most celebrities, lots better, but he definitely isn't very politically aware. To think that we need to give up some liberty to retain freedom and that we'll get it back later is doggoned naive. Doesn't shake my love for Neil and his music. Especially if he's rockin' with Crazy Horse.
He's a warrior of the heart not a political scholar. He yanks peoples minds out of stupor on both sides of issues. For instance, are these the words of a radical environmentalist? :
"Tried to save the trees
Bought a plastic bag
The bottom fell out
It was a piece of crap."
And are these the words of a liberal? :
"Ain't singin' for Pepsi
Ain't singin' for Coke
Don't sing for nobody
Makes me look like a joke.
This note's for you...
Ain't singin' for Miller
Ain't singin' for Bud
I won't sing for politicians
Ain't singin' for Spuds.
This note's for you....
Don't need no cash
Don't want no money
Ain't got no stash
This note's for you....
I've got the real thing
I've got the real thing, baby
I've got the real thing
Well alright now, yeah
This note's for you!"
And as far as pro-drug? Well, "The Needle and the Damage Done" should have smashed that idea in 1971. If it didn't then "No More", published in 1989, made even fewer bones about it. :
"Livin' on the edge of night
You know the sun won't go down slow
You don't know which drug is right
Can't decide which way you wanna go
I feel the way you feel
Cause not so long ago
It had a hold on me
I couldn't let it go
It wouldn't set me free
It wouldn't set me free
No more, no more, no more..."
I know you didn't critisize him, Sweet Thirty, but I wanted to point out while I'm back here that NY isn't that easy to pigeonhole. Besides, like a lot of artists, his songs are social commentary not political op-ed. Does anybody really want to hear George Wills sing and play guitar? Or even Rush? Limbaugh, that is.
PS - I love you. Can I be your "Cowgirl in the Sand"?
"This place heart is at your command", Love! "This 'note's' for you!" ; )