My Land
Awakening Our Land: Unveiling Social Injustices through Die Toten Hosen's 'My Land'
Lyrics
This is the street where people live in fear
This line describes a street where residents live in constant fear.
Of senseless crime and poverty
Refers to the presence of senseless crime and poverty causing distress among the people.
And the color of your skin decides
Addresses racial discrimination, suggesting that skin color determines the consequences one faces.
If you should pay the penalty (oh)
Highlights the unjust penalty or punishment based on skin color.
This is the city where only money talks
Describes a city where financial power and influence dominate conversations.
Of power gain and influence
Points out the persistence of economic disparity, with a critique of the status quo.
Where the poor stay poor, the rich stay rich
Reflects the socioeconomic divide, emphasizing that the rich stay wealthy while the poor remain impoverished.
And we're still told it's coincidence
Expresses skepticism about claims that such disparities are mere coincidences.
It's the same old sad survival dance
Refers to a recurring pattern of struggle for survival that everyone is born into.
That we're all born with an equal chance
Comments on the notion that everyone has an equal chance at life.
But who could be so blind that they could never see
Raises the question of how someone could be so oblivious as to not see the evident inequality.
That this is my land
Declares ownership and connection to the land, acknowledging responsibility for its state.
I can't pretend that it's nothing to do with me
Admits the inextricable link between the speaker and the issues affecting the land.
And this is your land
Extends the sense of ownership to others, emphasizing shared responsibility.
You can't close your eyes to the things you don't wanna see
Asserts that ignoring unpleasant truths about the land is not an option.
This is a country filled with greed and hate
Characterizes the country as plagued by greed and hatred.
And cops on the take are common place
Highlights corruption within law enforcement as a common occurrence.
The next generation are condemned to waste
Expresses concern for the future generation, suggesting they are being condemned to a wasteful existence.
By bent politicians and magistrates
Blames corrupt politicians and magistrates for the plight of the next generation.
This is a world at war for the liquid gold
Describes a world engaged in conflict over valuable resources, specifically mentioning "liquid gold."
But there's still no cure for the common cold
Ironically notes the absence of a cure for common illnesses despite advancements in warfare.
We raise our flags and battle cries
Addresses the use of nationalistic fervor and religious justification for war.
In the name of God and national pride
Points out the hypocrisy of raising flags and battling for God and national pride.
And the lie we use to convince ourselves
Comments on the lies people tell themselves to avoid acknowledging responsibility.
It's not our fault, it can't be helped
References the tendency to deflect blame by claiming circumstances are beyond control.
Don't tell me we're so blind we cannot see
Challenges the idea that people are so blind they cannot perceive the injustices around them.
That this is my land
Reiterates ownership and connection to the land, emphasizing personal responsibility.
I can't pretend that it's nothing to do with me
Acknowledges that the state of the land cannot be ignored or denied.
And this is your land
Extends the acknowledgment of responsibility to others, urging them not to turn a blind eye.
You can't close your eyes to this hypocrisy
Stresses the impossibility of ignoring the hypocrisy present in the land.
Yes this is my land
Reaffirms personal connection and responsibility for the state of the land.
I won't pretend that it's nothing to do with me
Declares a commitment to facing the truth about the land, rejecting denial.
'Cause this is our land
Expands the sense of ownership to include a collective responsibility for the land.
You can't close your eyes to the things you don't wanna see
Emphasizes the impossibility of ignoring uncomfortable truths about the land.
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