My songs were influenced not so much by poetry on the page but by poetry being recited by the poets who recited poems with jazz bands.

Some times I think this whole world Is one big prison yeard Some of us are prisoners The rest of us are guards

In writing songs, I've learned as much from Cezanne as I have from Woody Guthrie.

I'm determined to stand whether God will deliver me or not.

Patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.

We have never arrived. We are in a constant state of becoming.

We're living in times where men commit crimes and crime don't have a face.