Lyrics to Used to be a City:
David Rovics
I was young once, it was a long time ago
Things were different then, I thought that you should know
This old building was once a factory
We made Stetsons, your grandpa and me
It wasn’t easy, but at least life was going down;
There used to be a city in this town
This rusted railyard had a hotel and a couple of stores
We had good times here between the wars
It wasn’t paradise but there was music in the street
Right there is where your grandparents first had a chance to meet
They got married in that church, I can still see her wedding gown;
There used to be a city in this town
When the change came, it started one by one:
First the layoffs, then the factory was gone,
Then came the highways, the suburbs and Wal-Mart;
That was the final blow that tore this place apart
But it seems like just last year when there were people all around;
There used to be a city in this town
The census says there’s people here but I think someone’s confused
Just look out at these sidewalks, they’re not being used
You know when a city dies, it doesn’t die with grace
It just becomes a ruin, shouting this was once the place
Guess it’s time to leave, but I don’t know where I’d be bound;
There used to be a city in this town
Napoleon
Ani Difranco
They told you your music could reach millions
the choice was up to you
you told me they always pay for lunch
and they believe in what I do
and I wonder if you’ll miss your old friends
once you’ve proven what you’re worth
and I wonder when you’re a big star
will you miss the earth?
and I know you always, always want more
I know you, you’ll never be done
because everyone is a fucking napoleon
everyone is a fucking napoleon
and the next time that I saw you
you were larger than life
yeah you came and you conquered
you were doing all right
you had an army of suits behind you
and all you had to be was willing
and I said I still make a pretty good living
you must make a killing, a killing
and I hope that, that you are happy
I hope that at least you are having fun
oh but everyone is a fucking napoleon
well everyone is a fucking napoleon
you say that, so that’s the way it’s gonna be
so that’s what this is all about
I think that that’s the way it always was
you chose not to notice until now
oh now that, now that there’s a problem
you call me up to confide
and you go on for over an hour
about each one that took you for a ride
and I guess that you dialed my number
because you thought for sure that I’d agree
I said baby, you know I still love you
but how dare you complain to me?
oh but everyone is a fucking napoleon
everyone is a fucking napoleon
everyone is a fucking napoleon
They told you your music could reach millions
the choice was up to you
you told me they always pay for lunch
and they believe in what I do
and I wonder if you’ll miss your old friends
once you’ve proven what you’re worth
and I wonder when you’re a big star
will you miss the earth?
and I know you always, always want more
I know you, you’ll never be done
oh but everyone is a fucking napoleon
everyone is a fucking napoleon
everyone is a fucking napoleon
Â
So Sick of Drowning 