Rage as a Way of Protest
Rising Against Injustice: Common Ideal's Anthem of Defiance
Lyrics
Close your eyes
Invitation to introspection or reflection.
Can't you see
Encouragement to perceive and understand.
Hate is part
Suggesting that hatred is an inherent aspect of the real world.
Of reality?
Questioning the inevitability of hatred in reality.
They want to kill the flame
Referring to a desire to extinguish passion or enthusiasm.
And keep us insane
Accusing external forces of trying to maintain insanity.
By playing with our hearts
Alleging manipulation of emotions and intellect by external influences.
And choking our brains
Describing the impact of external influences on rational thinking.
No love and my country's full
Expressing a lack of love and a nation tainted by violence.
Of blood
Highlighting the prevalence of bloodshed in the country.
An army cannot take my soul
Defiance against the infringement on personal essence by an army.
No! That's unfair!
Rejecting the perceived injustice of soul-taking by force.
You get
Transition to addressing an unidentified "you" or external force.
What you want
Recognition that external forces may achieve their desires.
And I am left with nothing
Expressing the personal cost of external accomplishments.
All I want
Desire for the listener to recognize the singer's voice in protest.
Is you to see
Stating the desire for vocal expression against external control.
My voice singing
Expressing the desire for others to join in the protest.
"No! No! No!"
Repetition of the word "No" emphasizing opposition to control.
Thought control
Reference to manipulation of thoughts and beliefs.
Apostasy
Denunciation of abandoning one's beliefs or principles.
Are based upon
Assertion that external control is based on imagination.
Your fantasy
Highlighting the subjective nature of external influences.
The tides are going against you
Suggesting a shift in the tide of power against oppressive forces.
It's our time to play
Claiming an opportunity for the oppressed to assert themselves.
No love and my country's full
Reiteration of the absence of love and prevalence of bloodshed.
Of blood
Repetition of the inability of an army to take the soul unjustly.
An army cannot take my soul
Renewed defiance against soul-taking by force.
No! That's unfair!
Rejection of the perceived unfairness in the struggle.
You get
Transition back to addressing an unidentified "you" or external force.
What you want
Recognition that external forces may attain their goals.
And I am left with nothing
Expressing personal loss and deprivation as a consequence.
All I want
Reiteration of the desire for vocal protest against external control.
Is you to see
Reiterating the desire for others to join in the protest.
My voice singing
Expressing the desire for the listener to recognize the singer's voice in protest.
"No! No! No!"
Repetition of the word "No" emphasizing opposition to control.
"La! La! La!"
Laughter, possibly indicating irony, disbelief, or resignation.
"La! La! La!"
Continuation of laughter, maintaining the aforementioned tone.
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