Sufjan Stevens – Adlai Stevenson

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Righteous men of the earth
Oh, have you been patient
I suppose our thoughts about United Nations

Adlai, Adlai
What did he say
And what is the answer?
Adlai, Adlai
What did he say
And what is the answer?

1952, the heart was not your master
The accident you threw
Would carry through your laughter

Evidence, evidence
I've heard of it
And what is the answer?
Evidence, evidence
I've heard of it
And what is the answer?

Adlai, Adlai
Your holiday
The greatest of man, sir
Adlai, Adlai
What did he say
And what is the answer?

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Lyrics submitted by artblot, edited by studaman

Track duration: 02:34


Adlai Stevenson song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I've come across another version of Adlai Stevenson in which it's only Sufjan and a guitar. Beautiful chords and amazing dexterity.
    Flag readmedotexeon November 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"The heart was not your master"

    Stevenson died of a heart attack in 1965. In 1952, he was healthy, hence he wasn't controlled by his heart; Sufjan is foreshadowing his death. But that's only one facet of that lyric. I really like the idea someone threw out about his heart not being in it, I think it's perfectly valid.
    Flag musicmaxon April 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I saw "Thirteen Days" today and thought of this song...

    "What did he say? / What is the answer?" -- when the Soviets were trying to make the Americans look bad during the Cuban Missile Crisis at the UN, Adlai went and challenged him, saying he wanted an upfront answer about whether not the soviets placed missiles in Cuba...

    "Evidence, Evidence, I've heard of it" -- The soviet ambassador says the Americans have no evidence, and Adlai pulls out the photographs...

    1953- Adlai's loses after he ran for president.
    Flag FrenchlyChuteson February 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The brilliant thing about this song is the way that it is so appealing despite the fact that all of the instruments used in it are completely non-traditional. Trumpets, flutes, banjo and Taylorsaurus still describes the song as "rocking." There are no heavy guitars, no distortion, just band music.....music that I usually hate...and yet....I can't stop listening to the song. It's absolutely magnificent. The trumpets, flutes, and drums create political music, almost like an anthem, which….I am very surprised to say….is rocking. As far as I’m concerned, Stevens has turned lemons (unappealing instruments and political music) into lemonade (Adlai Stevens).
    Flag jenniferjferrison October 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The brilliant thing about this song is the way that it is so appealing despite the fact that all of the instruments used in it are completely non-traditional. Trumpets, flutes, banjo and Taylorsaurus still describes the song as "rocking." There are no heavy guitars, no distortion, just band music.....music that I usually hate...and yet....I can't stop listening to the song. It's absolutely magnificent. The trumpets, flutes, and drums create political music, almost like an anthem, which….I am very surprised to say….is rocking. As far as I’m concerned, Stevens has turned lemons (unappealing instruments and political music) into lemonade (Adlai Stevens).
    Flag jenniferjferrison October 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What's really interesting about this song is the line, "What did he say, and what is the answer?" can be applied to so many different things. Just that one line alone could be stuck into a billion different songs and fit perfectly. It's such a simple, sweet little line - much like the song itself. Damn, this song needs to stop rocking so hard.
    Flag taylorsaurus rexon February 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Haha ahh yes. "What did he say? What was the answer?"

    When Adlai was speaking to ebassador Zorin at the UN general assembly about his USSR placing Soviet missiles in Cuba.

    "Do you, embassador Zorin, deny that the USSR has placed and is placing medium and inter-mediate range missiles in Cuba? Don't wait for the translation! Answer Yes or No!"

    The whole world was watching. What a genius. Just like Sufjan.
    Flag Flamingo*on December 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I go to Adlai E. Stevenson high school in Illinois. Its in Lincolnshire.
    Flag LeopoldSampsoniteon August 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i don't like stevenson as a politician, but sufjan makes him seem beautiful. to me, adlai seemed like he was running for president just because, like an obligation. not the good, bobby-kennedy sort of obligation (see his announcement-of-candidacy speech in '68), but the, 'gosh i guess i should, i don't really want to' obligation. i think this is where mr. stevens comes up with, "1952, the heart was not your master," as in his heart was just not in it.

    that's just what i think though! beautiful song!
    Flag oldfishtrembleon June 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:there's also an adlai stevenson high school in illinois, around chicago somewhere.
    Flag roman candleon May 02, 2007   Link

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