THIS WORLD

Baby, I ain’t afraid to die,
It’s just that I hate to say goodbye
To this world, this world, this world.
This old world is mean and cruel,
But still I love it like a fool,
This world, this world, this world.

I’d rather go to the corner store
Than sing hosannah on that golden shore,
I’d rather live on Parker Street
Than fly around where the angels meet.
Oh, this old world is all I know,
It’s dust to dust when I have to go
From this world, this world, this world.

Somebody else will take my place,
Some other hands, some other face,
Some other eyes will look around
And find the things I’ve never found
Don’t weep for me when I am gone,
Just keep this old world rolling on,
This world, this world, this world.

-Malvina Reynolds, Ⓒ 1961

Berklee’s poetry Walk was laid in October 2003 along Edison Street between Shattuck and Milvia Streets. The route includes 128 metal plates with excerpts from songs, each of which is related in one way or another to the city of Berkeley.

The current sign features the poem written by the American poet and political activist Malvina Reynolds (1900-1978). Reynolds who was best known for the song "Little Boxes" studied at the University of Berkeley, from her bachelor’s degree to her doctorate.