Proof

Lyrics

[MURIEL] I marched with Dr. King once in Chicago Nobody knows this, I've never told But if anyone should doubt it You can see me in the photo On the front of the Tribune above the fold And I used to have a scar From a bottle someone threw And I realize it's not a thing You'd think that I would do But I'd heard so much and read so much About the man and so I had to go I had to know My brother—this is heavily symbolic— He was committed my sophomore year He was sure the FBI had put electrodes on his brain And so he shoved a pen-knife straight into his ear It was terrible, and yet What it mostly made me feel Was the hope that now he'd finally admit it wasn't real We agree he must be crazy We abandon the pretense 'Cause what makes sense Is evidence I'll believe in God when I see her I'll believe in Santa when the sleigh lands on my roof It's not an aberration— I don't lack imagination But my faith is predicated on proof I have seen that memory is imperfect I believe "objective" doesn't have to mean "aloof" The facts, once they are stated Cannot be negotiated Thus my faith is predicated on proof You believe in change and redemption I believe the world is full of fools like Dr. King The danger, I suppose, is That your mind completely closes And you don't believe a single fucking thing The man you've loved or hated Has deceived and fabricated A fact corroborated by proof