“You Can’t Be Forever Blessed”

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

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
Oh, but it’s all right, it’s all right
For we’ve 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
And I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

Oh, 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 hour
And sing an American tune
Oh, but it’s all right, it’s all right
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

© 1973 Words and Music by Paul Simon

by R. Duane Graham on November 10, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by R. Duane Graham on November 10, 2016

https://duanegraham.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/you-cant-be-forever-blessed/

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9 Comments

  1. Robert J. Roberts

     /  November 10, 2016

    Thank you. That helped a little.

    Like

  2. Herb Van Fleet

     /  November 10, 2016

    I posted this on my Facebook page earlier today: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/10/opinion/ten-step-program-for-adjusting-to-president-elect-trump.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0&referer=http://www.nytimes.com/pages/todayspaper/index.html?nytmobile=0&nytmobile=0

    Liked by 2 people

  3. middlechildwoman

     /  November 10, 2016

    I remember this from 1974 as a college junior. I think the lyrics just resonate with me so much more today. Thank you.

    Like

  4. Jim Wheeler

     /  November 10, 2016

    . . . and Lady Liberty wept.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Anonymous

     /  November 11, 2016

    Okay, the day long drunk is over. The nostalgia for the loss of equal rights for all races, the equality of our LGBTQ community, women’s rights, and the decency of our nation is impending. The fear for our nation’s progress is blinded by half of our nation’s desire to regress to a racist era when America was not as great as last week.

    We are no longer blessed, but cursed. Trade wars that we will not win loom with Mexico and China. NATO originating in our greatest generation appears to be on a pay for play basis. This retired Union member has paid off him home, other properties, owes no one and has a retirement pension and stock portfolio. I am tempted to sell my stocks based on gut instinct of the disaster to come, not for necessity.

    I am extremely grateful for an America that allowed for this success while the middle class was still vibrant in our nation, but the middle class has been decimated. A great number in the middle class chose to “burn the house down” to express disgust with congressional gridlock and elect a man with no political experience, his only military experience being draft dodging, and business experience with four bankruptcies. I fear for my children and grandchildren’s futures.

    Like

    • R. Duane Graham

       /  November 15, 2016

      Same here, pretty much. I never opposed Trump because doing so benefited me personally. Doesn’t much matter to me, in terms of finances, who is president. Like you, I’m retired with little debt. It does also very much matter to me for my kids and grandkid(s). This result is terrifying for their futures. The damage, whatever it turns out to be, will stay with them for the rest of their lives, in terms of a warming and more inhospitable planet. Makes me sick.

      But it also mattered to me because I had faith in this country’s values, faith that a majority of Americans at least embraced fundamental equality and fairness. Not so much. The flag does not look the same to me, I have to admit. I have never felt that way in my life, but it is something I am very much feeling now. That is what Trump has done to so many of us, I fear.

      Duane

      Like

  6. Anonymous

     /  November 11, 2016

    Sorry, didn’t proof read, desire for our nation’s progress, not fear. Just scared I guess.

    Like