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Natalie

from Green Album by Ari Lesser

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March 18, 2007

lyrics

Natalie

There’s a lot more to this story but this is where I’m going to enter
Downtown Portland, Oregon, in front of the Justice Center
The block is lined with policemen, all wearing riot suits
Black helmets, black vests, black pants, black clubs, black boots

Across the street, the cops stare at us, a mob of angry youth
Equipped with just our voices, a bullhorn, and the truth
They had arrested some of our own earlier that day
And somewhere in the Justice Center they were locked away

At the top of our lungs we all shouted, “Let them go!”
But we got no response from the cops, not even a simple “No”
They kept repeating that the road was for cars, not our feet
But a few brave individuals stepped into the street

Then the riot cops came charging like some horrible parade
Us young people were beaten with batons and pepper-sprayed
More cops came from behind us, riding in on horses
Showing us the full power of Portland’s police forces

We yelled, “The world is watching,” and they started pulling back
We shouted, “shame, shame, it is shameful how you act
We have committed no crimes; we’ve broken only silence
We ask you to free our friends, and you respond with violence”

I was filled with an anger like I’d never felt before
I was angry at the cops, I was angry at the war
I was angry at the government and the Media too
I was angry at the world, but then I saw you

I knew that you were special, right from the very start
You wore four peace pins just above your heart
Sexy white boots that looked somewhat out of place
In that sea of anarchy all I could see was your face

You introduced yourself to me, and we started talking
Decided to sit down cause we were tired of walking
We sat beneath a tree, your leg leaning on to me
We discussed the international political economy

I graciously accepted when you offered me some bread
We talked of the Iraq war and the thousands it left dead
Every time you opened your mouth to speak, I truly wanted to hear it
You aroused not just my body, but my mind and my spirit

For all eternity I could have sat beneath that tree
Until everybody else went home and left just you and me
I didn’t want to rap no more, just wrap my arms around you
I forgot about the protest, I was just so glad I found you

The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, both inside and out
I finally learned what love at first sight is all about
But then my friend was leaving cause it was getting late
It was my only way to Eugene that night, I had a final at eight

I almost chose to stay and fail my class because of you
And if I could have that night back, that’s exactly what I’d do
Cause on that long ride home there was just one thing on my mind
I’ll have many tests throughout my life, but you’re one of a kind

credits

from Green Album, track released March 25, 2007
Natalie: Inspiration

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about

Ari Lesser Cleveland

Ari Lesser is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and spoken word artist from Cleveland, Ohio. He has performed all over the world, and written hundreds of songs on a wide range of subjects. Ari’s repertoire is expansive, touching on everything from history, to animals, to Star Wars, but now his focus and passion is making music based on the Torah. ... more

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