Shoot Them Before They Grow
Voices of Struggle: Unveiling the Battle for Freedom in Brenda Fassie's Anthem
Lyrics
Two white men fighting one another
Two white men are in conflict over a black man.
They are fighting for a black man
The conflict is centered around the black man's fate.
The other one says the black man must be freed oh
One white man advocates for the freedom of the black man.
The other one says the black man must be in held yo
The other white man believes the black man should be held.
Who's gonna win now
Uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict.
Cause they both have power
Both white men have power in the situation.
Who's gonna save the black man
Concern about who will protect the black man.
Cause he ain't got no power
The black man lacks power in this situation.
16 year old kids protesting they want their freedom
16-year-old kids are protesting for freedom.
Black children crying saying give us better education
Black children demand better education.
Good white man say give them good education
A good white man supports providing good education.
The bad white man say shoot them before they grow
A bad white man suggests shooting the protesting kids before they grow.
Shoot them before they grow
Repetition emphasizing the idea of shooting before growing.
Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-Wowowo wowowo wo wowowo wo
Repetition of vocalizations expressing concern or sadness.
Mhh who's gonna save them
Questioning who will save those without rights.
Cause they've got no rights
People without rights are in need of protection.
Where can they run to
Uncertainty about where the oppressed can seek refuge.
Cause they don't know who to trust
Lack of trust in potential helpers.
Wowowo wowowo
Repetition of vocalizations.
All the boys and the girls are running
Both boys and girls are fleeing for their lives.
Running for their lives
Escaping from a threat with a gun.
Cause the man with the gun is coming coming
The imminent danger of being shot before growing.
To shoot them before they grow
Repetition emphasizing the impending threat.
Cause the man with the gun is coming coming
-To shoot them before they grow before they grow
-Wowowo wowowo wo wowowo wo
Repetition of vocalizations.
Two white men fighting one another
Repeat of the earlier conflict and power dynamics.
They're fighting for a black man
-The other one says the black man must be freed oh
-The other one says the black man must be in held yo
-Who's gonna win now
-Cause they both got power
-Who's gonna save the black man
-Cause he ain't got no power
-16 year old 16 year old kids protest for freedom
Reiteration of 16-year-old kids protesting for freedom.
They crying they cry for better education
Reiteration of black children crying for better education.
Good white man say give them good education
Reiteration of a good white man supporting education.
The bad white man say shoot them before they grow
Reiteration of a bad white man advocating shooting before growth.
Shoot them before they grow
Repetition emphasizing the idea of shooting before growing.
Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-The bad white man said shoot them before they grow
Reiteration of the bad white man's stance on shooting before growth.
The Good white man said give them freedom oh
Reiteration of the good white man advocating freedom for the black man.
Freedom for the black man
Freedom is desired for the black man.
The boys and the girls are running running
Boys and girls are once again running for their lives.
Running for their lives
Repetition emphasizing the imminent threat of being shot before growing.
Cause the man with the gun is coming coming
-To shoot them before they grow
-The boys and the girls are running running
-Running for their lives
-Cause the man with the gun is coming coming
-To shoot them before they grow before they grow before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
Repetition emphasizing the idea of shooting before growing.
Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
-Shoot them before they grow
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