How Can You Live in the Northeast?
Paul Simon Lyrics


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We heard the fireworks.
Rushed out to watch the sky.
Happy go lucky.
Fourth of July.

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river
when the flood water pours from the mouth?
How can you be a Christian?
How can you be a Jew?
How can you be a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Hindu?
How can you?

Weak as the winter sun,
we enter life on earth.
Names and religion come
just after date of birth.
Then everybody gets a tongue to speak,
and everyone hears an inner voice.
A day at the end of the week
to wonder and rejoice.
If the answer is infinite light,
why do we sleep in the dark?

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river
when the flood water pours from the mouth?
How can you tattoo your body?
Why do you cover your head?
How can you eat from a rice bowl,
the holy man only breaks bread?

We watched the fireworks,
'til they were fireflies.
Followed a path of stars,
over the endless skies.

How can you live in the Northeast?
How can you live in the South?
How can you build on the banks of a river
when the flood water pours from the mouth?

I've been given all I wanted.
Only three generations off the boat.




I have harvested and I've planted.
I am wearing my father's old coat.

Overall Meaning

The song "How Can You Live In The Northeast?" by Paul Simon is an introspective inquiry into identity and the importance of understanding differences. The lyrics are structured around a series of questions that challenge the listener to think critically about their beliefs and way of life. The song begins by describing a scene of joy and celebration on the 4th of July, but quickly shifts to these questions about living in different regions of the United States, following different religions, and adopting different practices. The chorus repeatedly asks "how can you?" suggesting that there may be no easy answer to these questions.


Simon goes on to suggest that our names and religions are assigned to us after birth, and that everyone has a voice to speak and an inner voice to be heard, but we may not always listen to it. He questions why we sleep in the dark when the answer is infinite light, implying that we may be missing out on essential knowledge or enlightenment. The questions about tattooing, covering one's head, and eating from a rice bowl versus bread allude to different cultural practices and religions, questioning why certain beliefs and habits have been adopted or rejected.


At the end of the song, Simon brings it back to his personal experience, noting that he has been given everything he wanted, but that he also feels connected to his heritage and ancestors. This serves to suggest that the questions posed in the rest of the song are not meant to be rhetorical, but rather to inspire introspection and a deeper understanding of one's place in the world and connection to others.


Line by Line Meaning

We heard the fireworks.
The singer and others heard the loud explosions of fireworks, likely on the Fourth of July.


Rushed out to watch the sky.
Excited by the fireworks, the singer and others quickly left their homes to observe the colorful lights in the sky.


Happy go lucky.
Everyone felt carefree and content in the moment, with no worries or concerns.


Fourth of July.
This line reinforces the setting of the previous lines - it is a celebration of America's Independence Day.


How can you live in the Northeast?
The artist questions how someone can live in a specific region of the United States, highlighting the difficulties and challenges that come with it.


How can you live in the South?
Similar to the previous line, the singer poses a question about living in another region of the country, suggesting that there are unique challenges and lifestyle differences there.


How can you build on the banks of a river when the flood water pours from the mouth?
The singer questions why someone would choose to construct a home or building near a river that is known to flood frequently and carry dangerous amounts of water.


How can you be a Christian? How can you be a Jew? How can you be a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Hindu?
The artist questions how someone can follow a particular religion or belief system, possibly challenging the validity or morality of each one.


How can you?
This short line serves as a rhetorical question, emphasizing the artist's disbelief and confusion about the world and people's choices.


Weak as the winter sun, we enter life on earth.
The artist compares human fragility and vulnerability to the dimness of the sun during winter, suggesting that we are powerless and susceptible to many forces in our world.


Names and religion come just after date of birth.
The singer points out that our identities and belief systems are often assigned to us at birth, and are thus not always chosen or deliberate.


Then everybody gets a tongue to speak, and everyone hears an inner voice. A day at the end of the week to wonder and rejoice.
Despite our differences in language and beliefs, all humans have the ability to communicate and have inner thoughts. The line about a day of the week possibly refers to a religious day of worship, but also invites introspection and celebration.


If the answer is infinite light, why do we sleep in the dark?
The singer poses a philosophical question about the nature of knowledge and divinity - if there is a perfect, infinite solution to all human problems, why then do we still experience struggles and hardships?


How can you tattoo your body? Why do you cover your head? How can you eat from a rice bowl, the holy man only breaks bread?
Similar to the earlier lines, the singer questions the unique practices and behaviors of different cultures and individuals, expressing confusion or even disagreement with them.


We watched the fireworks, 'til they were fireflies.
The singer and others enjoyed the fireworks display for a while, until the explosions subsided and the sparks turned to small, glowing insects.


Followed a path of stars, over the endless skies.
Inspired by the fireworks and the natural beauty of the night, the artist and company looked up at the stars and felt a sense of awe and wonderment.


I've been given all I wanted. Only three generations off the boat. I have harvested and I've planted. I am wearing my father's old coat.
The artist reflects on their personal history, expressing gratitude for their good fortune and the opportunities afforded to them by their family's journey. The last line symbolizes inheriting the values and character traits of one's ancestors.




Contributed by Isaac P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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