Shoulder Next to Shoulder
1. Down on the streets of Minneapolis
I remember marching with you
Carrying signs about peace in our time
along Hennepin Avenue
2. I saw some friends but mostly strangers
same old crowd mixed with the new
I saw my future congressman there
along Hennepin Avenue
Chorus:
I felt the sun on my face
I smelled the promise of spring
My legs were tired when we got downtown
and heard the bells of the Basilica ring
3. The signs were good, I think we’re winning
Passing drivers sang with us too
Gust said he saw only one flip us off
along Hennepin Avenue
4. Three-thousand strong came to the stoplight
“Red or green, we’re marching through”
Peace was arriving with_the right of way
along Hennepin Avenue
(Ch)
I felt the sun on my face
I smelled the promise of spring
My legs were tired when we got downtown
and heard the bells of the Basilica ring
I was so happy to be
Shoulder next to shoulder with you
5. Right by my side I had a shouter
Bellowing, angry and blue
I almost changed my mind about peace
along Hennepin Avenue
6. Down on the streets of Minneapolis
Next time maybe we’ll see you….
(Chorus)
Words and music by Bret Hesla.
© 2006 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net. Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
Recording features this song paired with French Canadian fiddle tune Reel de L’enfant
In Minneapolis, the annual spring march to protest the US invasion of Iraq goes down Hennepin Avenue. I think it was at last year’s march that one guy was going around mock-scolding the marchers, “Look serious now, the peace movement is not supposed to be fun.” Point taken. We might as well enjoy each other along the way.