Liberty Street

I wrote this summer 2000 while staying with my mom in Worland, WY. The song is about a street in downtown Salem, OR. (How cool is it that you can look at satellite images of the street just by clicking that link?) I once went into a jewelry store to get a new battery for my watch (this was back when only rich kids had cell phones) an was struck to see a watch for over $20,000 (this was back when that would cover a year's tuition at Willamette). The contrast between that and the pan handlers really struck me. Okay, I've totally done that obnoxious songwriter thing where you explain a song to death.

Walk'n' down a street called Liberty
Looking at the whole wide world right in front of me
Store selling Rolex watches for twenty grand
Man on the corner with an outstretched hand

To most of the people shopping he's just a lazy bum
He's asking for change I'd like to give him some
I don't mean throwing him some lousy dime
We need something more and I think it's time

Chorus:
And I'm left a wondering where do I fit in?
We need a revolution: where do we begin?

Walking down a street called Liberty
Thinking 'bout what exactly it means to be free
Some folks say freedom's all 'bout buying things
But it'll take something more before freedom rings

Chorus