An American Treasure

Okay we all know that America has produced more than it's share of conniving dirtbags but in her defense she has also given birth to Paul Simon. True Genius, recognized by The Library of Congress to be it's first recipient of the "Gershwin Award"...and no surprise either, just do a search on his song catalog and you'll know it to be justified. I also have an affinity for him since he's a kid from "Queens", growing up in Kew Gardens only a short distance from the beloved "Flushing" of my youth.

I was listening to "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" a few nights ago and American Tune, the sixth track on the CD came on. I thought how relevant this song is still today and it's clearly still one of my all time favorites!

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees
but it's all right, it's all right
for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest