The Village is Dead
Elegy for Bohemian Dreams: The Demise of Washington Square's Beat Spirit
Lyrics
Used to see Moondog every Saturday
Reflecting on the past, the speaker used to see Moondog every Saturday.
In Washington Square Park
Moondog was seen in Washington Square Park.
And you could listen to earnest folk musicians play
Washington Square Park was a place where earnest folk musicians played.
Underneath that big marble arch
The musicians performed under a big marble arch in the park.
Nothing but love in the sun
During those times, there was a sense of love and positivity in the sun.
In a burgeoning community
Reference to a growing and vibrant community in the park.
Any given Saturday in Washington Square Park
Every Saturday in Washington Square Park was a lively and communal experience.
There's nothing doing anymore on Macdougal Street
Macdougal Street has lost its previous vibrancy and liveliness.
Just shit tons of bros from the local university
Macdougal Street is now filled with a large number of university students (bros).
I'm listening to these zoomers play
The speaker listens to younger generations (zoomers) playing music.
Down in the basement of Cafe Wha?
Reference to a venue, Cafe Wha?, where musicians are trying to make a name.
They're trying to make it sound like Stevie Ray
The musicians in the basement are attempting to emulate Stevie Ray Vaughan's style.
And then they set fire to Jimi Hendrix's guitar
An event where Jimi Hendrix's guitar is set on fire, possibly symbolizing a departure from the past.
And we can finally sing it all together
A call for unity, inviting everyone to sing together.
The village is dead
Repetition emphasizing the main theme: the village, once vibrant, is now dead.
The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead, oh
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead
-The village is dead now
A final declaration that the village is now dead.
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