Malvina Reynolds
Lyric guide

Dialectic

Read Dialectic lyrics by Malvina Reynolds on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Malvina Reynolds visibility0 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Malvina Reynolds Canonical path: /malvina-reynolds/dialectic Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Dialectic

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

It's hard to believe that people live in such palaces,

With fine carved wood and carpets like clouds on the floor,

And ride around in gold-plated automobiles,

With a flunky to drive and a flunky to open the door.

It's hard to believe, but people do live that way,

And that's why thousands live on the river bank,

And have hardly enough to eat from day to day.

It's hard to believe that thousands live in such shanties

Or are jammed into slums where we do not usually go,

And they don't know how they'll make it to the next pay-day,

If they have a pay-day, that is, when things get slow.

It's hard to believe but people do live that way,

And that's why a few live in real palaces,

And cannot spend money as fast as they get it,

No matter how hard they try,

Or how many houses and automobiles they buy.

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Dialectic"?

Malvina Reynolds performs "Dialectic", and this lyric page sits inside the Malvina Reynolds catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Dialectic"?

Yes. The related section below points to I've Got a Song and A Short History of Warfare with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Malvina Reynolds?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Malvina Reynolds's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Dialectic yet.