Lyrics
There was a man named Mahatama Gandi
Introduction of Mahatma Gandhi, a man known for his nonviolent resistance.
He would not bow down he would not fight
Gandhi's refusal to submit or engage in physical combat.
He knew the deal was down and dirty
Awareness of the corrupt and unethical nature of the situation.
And nothing could make it right away
An acknowledgment that the situation cannot be made right.
But he knew his duty and the price he had to pay
Recognition of duty and the inevitable sacrifice required.
Just another holy man who tried to be a friend
Portrayal of Gandhi as a holy man attempting friendship.
My God, they killed him.
An expression of shock or sorrow over Gandhi's assassination.
Another man from Atlanta, Georgia
Introduction of Martin Luther King, a man from Atlanta, Georgia.
By name of Martin Luther King
King's impactful presence and refusal to accept injustice.
He shook the land like the rolling thunder
Comparison of King's influence to powerful natural forces.
And made the bells of freedom ring
Symbolic reference to the impact on freedom and justice.
With a dream of beauty that they could not burn away
King's dream of a beautiful, enduring change.
Just another holy man who dared to make a stand
Depiction of King as a holy man taking a stand.
My God, they killed him.
Expressing shock or sorrow over King's assassination.
The only Son of God Almighty
Reference to Jesus Christ, the Son of God Almighty.
The holy one called Jesus Christ
Highlighting Christ's compassionate actions.
He healed the lame and fed the hungry
Emphasizing the sacrifice of Christ for love.
And for his love they took his life away
Christ's life taken for his love and actions.
On the road to glory where the story never ends
Reference to the spiritual journey and eternal story.
Just the holy Son of Man we'll never understand
Recognition of the divine mystery in Christ's sacrifice.
My God, they killed him.
Expressing shock or sorrow over Christ's crucifixion.
There was a man named Mahatma Gandi
Repetition of Gandhi's name for emphasis.
A man named Martin Luther King
Repetition of King's name for emphasis.
The only Son of God Almighty
Repetition of Christ's title for emphasis.
The only one called Jesus Christ
Repetition of Christ's name for emphasis.
On the road to glory where the story never ends
Reiteration of the eternal nature of the spiritual journey.
Just the holy Son of Man we'll never understand
Reiteration of the mystery surrounding the divine sacrifice.
My God, they killed him.
Repetition of the expression of shock or sorrow.
There was a man named Mahatma Gandi
Final repetition of Gandhi's name.
A man named Martin Luther King
Final repetition of King's name.
The only Son of God Almighty
Final repetition of Christ's title.
The only one called Jesus Christ
Final repetition of Christ's name.
On the road to glory where the story never ends
Final reiteration of the eternal nature of the spiritual journey.
Just the holy Son of Man we'll never understand
Final reiteration of the divine mystery in Christ's sacrifice.
My God, they killed him.
Final repetition of the expression of shock or sorrow.
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