Dear
P!nk & Indigo Girls Lyrics
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Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?
Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb, and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you?
The song Dear Mr. President by P!nk and Indigo Girls is a powerful expression of the perspectives of everyday Americans who have concerns about the leadership of the country. The song is an open letter to the President, with the intent to gain his attention and to inspire him to address the issues and difficulties shared by many Americans. The lyrics convey deep critical questions and concerns about the President's priorities and policies. The song critiques the President’s stance on subjects such as homelessness, education, and LGBTQ rights.
The first verse expresses a desire to engage with the President on a personal level, urging him to take a walk with the writer as two equals, not as a President and a citizen. The following lines present questions that the writer would like to ask the President, including how he feels about the homelessness crisis and if he truly supports the "No child left behind" policy. The chorus brings to light the struggles of the everyday American people who are affected by the actions of the President. It asks how he can ignore the cries and suffering of those impacted by his policies, how he sleeps soundly at night knowing the hardships that exist in the world he leads.
The second verse highlights the hypocrisy of the President when it comes to his own daughter's rights and his inconsistent support for LGBTQ rights. It asks for accountability and questions what the First Lady thinks of the President's behavior. The bridge brings to light the chronic struggles of the working class, which reveals the irony of the President's position to fight for American's rights. The final verse sums it up with a frustrated statement - that the President would never take a walk with them because he is out of touch with the struggles of the everyday Americans.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Mr. President I
Addressing the President as a citizen
Come take a walk with me
Suggesting a peaceful conversation as equals
Let's pretend we're just two people and
Ignoring the President's status for a moment
You're not better than me
Asserting equality despite the President's position
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
Requesting an honest dialogue for a better understanding
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Asking for the President's perspective on homelessness
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
Questioning the President's personal faith and values
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Wondering about the President's self-reflection
Are you proud?
Asking if the President is proud of his actions and decisions
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
Challenging the President's empathy towards the suffering of others
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
Questioning the President's ability to have positive thoughts in the face of tragedy
How do you walk with your head held high?
Asking how the President maintains his confidence and composure
Can you even look me in the eye
Challenging the President's honesty and integrity
And tell me why?
Demanding an explanation for the President's actions and decisions
Dear Mr. President
Repeating the address to summon the President's attention
Were you a lonely boy?
Asking about the President's childhood experiences
Are you a lonely boy?
Repeating the question for emphasis
Are you a lonely boy?
Repeating the question once more, insinuating the President's potential emotional instability
How can you say
Challenging the President's previous statements and policies
No child is left behind?
Questioning the effectiveness and fairness of such a policy
We're not dumb, and we're not blind
Asserting the intelligence and awareness of the American people
They're all sitting in your cells
Highlighting the disproportionate incarceration rates in America
While you pave the road to hell
Blaming the President for contributing to societal issues and injustices
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
Challenging the President's stance on women's reproductive rights
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
Accusing the President of potential discrimination and lack of acceptance
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
Speculating about the First Lady's opinions and observations about the President's actions
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
Referencing the President's past struggles with addiction and questioning his growth and transformation
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Sharing personal experiences of hard work and struggles
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Describing the difficulty of supporting a family on minimum wage
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Describing the challenges of rebuilding after a natural disaster or war
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Describing the desperation and resourcefulness of homeless individuals
Hard work
Emphasizing the value and difficulty of hard work
Hard work
Repeating the phrase for emphasis
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Challenging the President's understanding and appreciation for hard work and struggles
Hard work
Repeating the phrase one last time
Oh
An interjection expressing emotion and intensity
How do you sleep at night?
Questioning the President's ability to have a clear conscience and peaceful rest
How do you walk with your head held high?
Repeating the question once more to emphasize his hypocritical behavior
Dear Mr. President
Repeating the address one last time
You'd never take a walk with me
Concluding that the President would never engage in an honest conversation with an average citizen
Would you?
Posing a rhetorical question to further emphasize the President's lack of empathy and understanding
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ALECIA MOORE, BILLY MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind