ani

check out ani's performance of "grand canyon."
(you can copy and paste this youtube address to view it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpuJujIu9gM

the atom
by: ani difranco

"the glory of the atom
begs a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
the smallest unit of matter
let us bow our heads
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there

the smallest unit of matter
with its orbiting electrons
echoing off the solar system
like a hawk in the hills at dawn
the smallest unit of matter
uniting bird and rock and tree
and you and me

oh holy is the atom
the truly intelligent design
to which all of evolution
is graciously aligned
the one single structure
to which everything distills
the air, the wood smoke there, and the hills

you leave me here surrounded
by everything that's real
far outside the boundaries
of the digitized ordeal
leave me here awake
leave me here to heal

human beings are a cross
between monkeys and ants
you can see us from your spaceship
melting the polar ice caps with our arrogance
summon a congress of angels
dressed in riot gear
we've got a serious situation down here

i have a great great uncle
who worked on the atomic bomb
he got a nobel prize in physics
and a place in this song
and i bet there were no windows
and no women in the room
when they applied themselves to the pure
science of doom

messin' with the atom
is the highest form of blasphemy
whether you making weapons
or simple electricity
someone fashion me a pulpit
i have been called to engage
with the maniacal heretics
of the nuclear age

let the religious get religion
let the consumers get a clue
let the scientists get perspective
let the activists get their due
let industry get a conscience
let the earth inherit the meek
let the divinity of nature speak

oh the glory of the atom
deserves a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
lets us sing its praises
let us bow our heads in prayer
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there"