Knocking on Doors

 

For two afternoons I've been knocking on doors

A few hours, but at least I've done something

In Maine and New Hampshire, two so-called swing states

Though I didn't meet many swingers

           

            I met a young college girl, barely awake

            Though I knocked on her door at one-thirty

            She said: “I'm just afraid, if we change leaders now

            That the world will consider us weaker;

            I don't really like what the President's done

            But I guess that I'll probably stick with him…”

            I said: “That's one opinion; can I tell you mine?”

            She nodded and so I said to her:

 

                        “I think the world is waiting to see

                        If this country's still a democracy

                        If our leaders are held to account by our will…”

                        Was my tone condescending, my voice a bit shrill?

                        Did I move her to ask herself any questions

                        That she hadn't thought of before?

                        I've got no way of knowing

                        That's what it's like—knocking on doors

 

I met a man, seventy-seven years old

He invited me into his woodshop

He said: “In all my life, and I've been here awhile

I never have heard so much bullshit!”

 

            He said: “Anyone voting that fella' back in

            Here's what I'd like to do with ‘em

            Put a gun in their hand, send them off to Iraq

            ‘Cause that's what they're deciding for others;

            And son, let me tell you—that deficit,

            You'll never see it paid off in your lifetime;

            And what I'd like to see here before I pass on

            Is an honest-to-God real third party!”

 

                                    And I wanted to kiss that old codger profound

                                    But he had a few power tools lying around

                                    I said: “I wish they'd play you on Maine radio…”

                                    And he talked a while more, and then I had to go

                                    ‘Cause I had the rest of South Alpine to work

                                    So I smiled past the piled two-by-fours

                                    You meet some interesting people

                                    Knocking on doors

 

I met a young teacher who'd made up her mind

No Child Left Behind had enraged her

And a middle-aged woman said: “We're so confused,

All these ads—we can't tell who to trust in…”

           

            An elderly lady power-blowing her leaves

            Who said: “Sorry but I've made my mind up;

            I don't want the government sticking its nose

            Into health care and raising new taxes…”

            I met wives who said: “I've got my husband convinced…”

            And families split right down the middle

            And a cigarette-smoking young slacker who said

            He'd watched every debate and considered

 

                        And often I wanted to argue and rail

                        And mostly I'd listen, though sometimes I'd fail

                        And I mentioned a few facts I thought might persuade

                        And though noone was rude, no big changes were made

                        Well, they say face-to-face has mysterious grace

                        Though it can feel the most menial of chores

                        But you never know what makes a difference

                        When you're knocking on doors

 

                        Now I'm done with this song

                        Got to move right along

                        Work the phones for another few hours

                        And hope that I learned a few lessons

                        Knocking on doors

                        Knocking on doors

 

©2004 Ishmael Moongoose. All rights reserved.
These lyrics and the underlying work conditionally released under a
Creative Commons Music Sharing License
(creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed-music).
Verify @ songsofconscience.com/licensing.html. V2—Last updated 29 October, 2004
ishmaelmoongoose@songsofconscience.com