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I was trying to take a break from “issues” yesterday and watched the movie Justice League and from the opening song, I was struck how relevant the theme of the movie and song are to today. Despite the fact that the song was written and released in 1988, This version was sung by Sigrid hauntingly filled with despair.
[Verse 1]
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
[Verse 2]
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows*1
The truth of every word is striking as it describes the reality we have been living for so many years here in America. Everybody does Know. We know the system is rigged to favor the 1% Our “Captain” lies almost every time he opens his mouth.
We live with the knowledge that this system is broken and that it is bringing America to its knees and yet we continue to move within the system as if it will magically change.
[Verse 4]
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still picking cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
[Verse 5]
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows2
With recent events we each understand that the moment for change is “now or never” but we desperately want to return to our daily lives distracted by sports, jobs, and any other daily activities we can find to distract us from reality.
The reality however is the choice is ours to meet the challenge finally and effect the change we all desperately want. Listen and tell me what you hear:
1First two verses of “Everybody Knows” by Leonard Cohen
24th and 5th verses of “Everybody Knows”