Don't Pass Go
Thin Blue Line: Unraveling Injustice in Chumbawamba's 'Don't Pass Go'
Lyrics
Didn't he know it was a waste of time?
Expresses disbelief or questioning about someone not realizing the futility of their actions.
All stitched up by a thin blue line
Describes being manipulated or controlled by authority figures represented by the "thin blue line" (police).
(Repeats)
Repetition for emphasis.
Well the facts said 'yes'
Despite factual evidence, the outcome is unfavorable.
But the judge said 'no'
Legal authority contradicts the evidence.
Go straight to jail
Reference to the board game Monopoly, symbolizing imprisonment without fair judgment.
And don't pass go
Emphasizes the immediate consequence of incarceration without due process.
He didn't understand
The person facing consequences doesn't comprehend the situation and expresses disagreement.
And he told them so
Asserting one's innocence despite legal rulings.
Go straight to jail
Reiteration of the unjust incarceration directive.
And don't pass go
Repetition for emphasis.
Don't pass go
Emphasizes the repeated injustice of not passing "go" in the Monopoly metaphor.
There ain't no justice, just us (Repeats)
Repetition of the idea that justice is absent, leaving only the individuals involved.
Didn't he know it was a waste of time?
Restatement of the disbelief or realization of wasted time.
All stitched up by a thin blue line
Reiteration of being controlled or oppressed by authority.
A little self-protection
Describes a defensive action taken by individuals.
They don't want to know
Authorities ignore self-defense claims and impose punishment.
Go straight to jail
Reiteration of the unfair directive to go straight to jail without due process.
And don't pass go
Emphasizes the immediate consequence of incarceration without due process.
And he won't say sorry
Refusal to apologize despite the unjust legal system.
Play the old Jim Crow
Reference to racial segregation (Jim Crow laws) as a metaphor for injustice.
Go straight to jail
Reiteration of the unjust incarceration directive.
And don't pass go
Emphasizes the repeated injustice of not passing "go" in the Monopoly metaphor.
Don't pass go
Repetition for emphasis.
Didn't he know it was a waste of time?
Restatement of the disbelief or realization of wasted time.
All stitched up by a thin blue line
Reiteration of being controlled or oppressed by authority.
White paranoia
Points to racial bias or fear influencing decision-making.
It runs the show
Suggests that white paranoia is a dominant force shaping events.
Go straight to jail
Reiteration of the unfair directive to go straight to jail without due process.
And don't pass go
Emphasizes the immediate consequence of incarceration without due process.
You want table manners
Desire for civilized behavior contrasted with the absence of justice.
You get rule of law
Expectation of proper conduct undermined by the lack of justice.
Go straight to jail
Reiteration of the unjust incarceration directive.
And don't pass go
Emphasizes the immediate consequence of incarceration without due process.
Don't pass go
Repetition for emphasis.
Didn't he know it was a waste of time?
Restatement of the disbelief or realization of wasted time.
All stitched up by a thin blue line
Reiteration of being controlled or oppressed by authority.
(Repeats)
Repetition for emphasis.
Don't pass go
Emphasizes the repeated injustice of not passing "go" in the Monopoly metaphor.
(Repeats)
Repetition for emphasis.
There ain't no justice, just us
Repetition of the idea that justice is absent, leaving only the individuals involved.
(Repeats)
Repetition for emphasis.
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