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Son of Lenny Bruce

from Peripheral People by The HeartSleeves

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about

When I was 7, a lunch lady named Mrs. Discerbo really did come up to me and explain to me that I was Jewish and I couldn't have the cross. I did get some kind of ninja star, but I had no idea why, being that I was raised agnostic.

This set me on an adolescent quest through theology, philosophy and post holocaust existentialism as I searched to find my Jewish identity, traced back through my father's father, my name, my music and the many Jewish historical figures that I felt kinship with, even though none of us lived lives of devoted religious practice.

My Jewishness is a strong part of my creative energy. I feel it Today as much as ever. Many of us that are stuck between worlds are the descendants of our mentors. the sons of Lenny Bruce.

-JLN

lyrics

Lyrics Reprinted by Permission.
©2012 The Heartsleeves™, All Rights Reserved

Son of Lenny Bruce

When I was seven,
Mrs. Discerbo,
a Christian Korean, middle aged lunch lady,
she took me aside,
and she showed me a cross,
and she told me it wasn't for me.

She said "this here's the cross!"
"The beloved cross,"
"But for you, they have what they call 'David's Star'"
I didn't quite know,
Why David had lost it,
But if I could play ninja, I bet it'd go far.

I'm the tattooed Jew
the son of Lenny Bruce!
Frida Kahlo' is my muse!
Albert Einstein cuts me loose!

Stanley Kubrick is my vision!
Edward Teller is my hand!
My Y chromosome
goes back to the promised land!

When Mrs. Discerbo,
was done explaining,
about strange awkward icons
from context unknown,

All I got was that crosses
come from Korea,
and I'd get a weapon
someday when I'm grown.

I'm the tattooed Jew
I'm the son of Lenny Bruce!
Robert Dylan is my muse!
Carl Sagan cuts me loose!

Stanley Kubrick is my vision!
Edward Teller is my hand!
My Y chromosome
goes back to the promised land!

I've always been stuck here,
the line I've been walking,
drawn between two worlds,
where I don't belong

To Jews, I'm too goyish
but haters anoint me
wrapped up in Tefillin
my hero's are strong!

I'm the tattooed Jew
I'm the son of Lenny Bruce!
Robert Dylan is my muse!
Carl Sagan cuts me loose!

Stanley Kubrick is my vision!
Edward Teller is my hand!
My Y chromosome
goes back to the promised land!

I'm the tattooed Jew
I'm the son of Lenny Bruce!
Albert Einstein is my muse!
Frida Kahlo cuts me loose!

Lenny died a broke rebel!
cast down deep in villainy
Abbie Hoffman
Bugsy Siegel
Woody Allen
Set me free!

credits

from Peripheral People, released March 3, 2012
Composed & arranged by Jared Lucas Nathanson and Joshua Lee Loomis

Lyrics & Melody by Jared Lucas Nathanson

Ben Margolis - Saxophone
Jared Lucas Nathanson - Vocals
Helen Aki - Backing Vocals
Joshua Lee Loomis - Guitar
Alex Blinn - Drums
Robert Gilmore - Bass
Doug Batchelder - Hammomd organ

Recorded and mixed by Doug Batchelder at the Den studios in North Reading, MA
Produced by Doug Batchelder, Jared Lucas Nathanson and Ben Margolis.
Mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA
Assistant Mastering Engineer: Maria Rice
©2012 The Heartsleeves™, All Rights Reserved

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The Heartsleeves Boston, Massachusetts

Neo Eclectic, Soul Reflected, Sounds From Real Life!

Born in the glory and pageant of the noble working cities of Boise, Cleveland, Schenectady, Boston and Syracuse, "The Heartsleeves" is the voice of the no frills sincerity of real world American life.

We write our songs live, and refine them into a melancholy powder of sweet painful regret and sprinkle it on hearty soul pop. ... more

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