198 Ways to Leave the State Behind

by Kevin S. Van Horn

Not many people know this, but Paul Simon has long been a student of nonviolent struggle and a closet market anarchist (disclaimer). In the early 70's he wrote a song on these themes, inspired by Gene Sharp's list of 198 methods of nonviolent action, but it was rejected by his record label as being too radical. Not wanting to waste the effort he had put into the song, he made a few changes to the lyrics to hide its real meaning, and the revised version was released in 1975 as the hit song, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”. Yet from the moment the song was released, many people have wondered just who is the former love that the narrator is leaving, and who is his new paramour. Now, after 30 years, you will find the answer to that question as you hear the first public performance of this song with its original lyrics.

Audio

Lyrics
(Sung to the tune of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, by Paul Simon.)

The problem is all inside your head, she said to me,
The answer is easy, whispered Lady Liberty.
I'd like to help you with your struggle to be free,
There must be 198 ways to leave the state behind.

She said, I easily could go for hours harping
On the six sources of power and of pillars of support,
But I'll repeat myself — actually, repeat Gene Sharp —
There must be 198 ways to leave the state behind,
198 ways to leave the state behind.

You just start a boycott, Scott,
Strategically plan, Stan,
You don't need to obey, Ray,
Just get yourself free.
Withhold support Mort,
And make stubbornness your forte!
Resolve is the key, Lee,
To get yourself free.

Start a boycott, Scott,
Strategically plan, Stan,
You don't need to obey, Ray,
Just listen to me.
Withhold support Mort,
And make stubbornness your forte!
Resolve is the key, Lee,
To get yourself free.

I said it grieves me to see freedom in disdain,
I wish that there was something I could do to make it shine again.
She said, I appreciate that, so allow me to explain
The nigh 200 ways.
I said I'd sleep on it, and in my dreams that night
Samuel Adams came with Gandhi to discuss our country's plight,
And as I spoke with them I realized she probably was right,
There must be 198 ways to leave the state behind,
198 ways to leave the state behind.

You just start a boycott, Scott,
Strategically plan, Stan,
You don't need to obey, Ray,
Just get yourself free.
Withhold support Mort,
And make stubbornness your forte!
Resolve is the key, Lee,
To get yourself free.

Start a boycott, Scott,
Strategically plan, Stan,
You don't need to obey, Ray,
Just listen to me.
Withhold support Mort,
And make stubbornness your forte!
Resolve is the key, Lee,
To get yourself free.

Disclaimer: With the exception of the phrases “Paul Simon”, “released in 1975”, “hit song”, and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, every word in the introduction to this song is a complete and utter fabrication.