When Alexander Met Emma

-- Liner notes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emma Goldman arrived in New York in 1889 as a young radical with no money. She had one contact there - a young anarchist she’d never met called Alexander Berkman. The two became lifelong companions and lovers. In 1892 they plotted to assassinate the boss of a company which was hiring hitmen to kill striking labourers. The assassination failed and Berkman went to jail for fourteen years. Emma and Alexander continued their relationship until 1936. On the first day they met Emma stumbled and Alexander caught her. "I have saved your life!" he said. Emma replied "I hope I may be able to save yours some day." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Intro] [Verse 1] When Alexander met Emma The first day she came to New York Sachs’s Cafe in Manhattan Coffee and cigerettes and talk Sun beating down on the East Side Introductions are made in the haze Emma meet Alexander Emma just smiles as she says: [Chorus] Take my hand.    I’ll take yours. Save my life.    I’ll save yours. [Verse 2] Life stretches loudly before her From the Bowery to old Suffolk Street A five dollar bill in her pocket And a worldful of people to meet Ships rigging up in the Hudson Waiting for love to set sail Emma she tells Alexander I’ll be there when you walk from the jail [Chorus] Take my hand.    I’ll take yours. Save my life.    I’ll save yours. [Instrumental] [Verse 3] Nespaper talk turns to headlines A love so cemented in fame A word to the strike-breaking bosses Propaganda in deed and in name Fourteen long years on the island It’s a lifetime of summers to wait And Emma she meets Alexsander As they unlock the last prison gate [Chorus] Take my hand.    I’ll take yours. Save my life.    I’ll save yours.