Respectable
Unveiling the Cold Truth: Reflections on Justice and Disgrace
Lyrics
Ah, it ain't so easy is it? You almost lost your place.
Expressing that overcoming difficulties isn't simple and the individual almost lost their position or standing.
And perhaps you're wondering how you're going to cope with your disgrace.
Reflecting on how the person will manage or handle their shame or disgrace.
Well your wealth is well established and your friends were never few,
Acknowledging the person's established wealth and ample circle of friends.
And all the things they told you of you're finding to be true.
Realizing that the things said about the person are turning out to be accurate.
Well if truth can free the guilty while the innocent must die,
Contemplating a situation where truth might help the guilty but innocent individuals suffer consequences, showing respect for deception.
Then I respect, respect, respect the coldest lie.
Respecting deceitful behavior despite its negative impact.
And you talk of human justice while you drive on fancy wheels.
Criticizing someone who talks about justice but indulges in luxury, possibly referring to hypocrisy.
And you push them to their limit just to see how nice it feels.
Describing a disregard for consequences while experiencing a sense of superiority or pleasure.
Well it doesn't really matter if she's living or she's dead,
Indifference to the well-being of others, even in life-or-death situations.
You just drive away forgetting that your bumper's dipped in red.
Ignoring one's responsibility or fault in a harmful situation.
Well if that's the kind of justice that our hall of justice claims,
Questioning the integrity of a justice system that condones such actions.
Then I respect, respect, respect old Jesse James.
Respecting notorious figures who operated outside the law due to perceived injustices.
And most cordially they caught you and they asked you to obey.
Being caught and instructed to comply, leading to imprisonment if unable to pay.
And they threw you into prison, just in case you could not pay.
Referencing a historical conflict (King Arthur and Lancelot) to the legal battle between lawyers and the court for the person's life.
Well King Arthur jousted Lancelot, who stole away his wife;
Comparing the legal battle to a famous tale of betrayal.
And your lawyers jousted with the court to save your precious life.
Highlighting the contradiction between preserving life while habitually lying.
Well if living is what matters though you lie with every breath,
Respecting those put to death if survival depends on falsehoods.
Then I respect, respect, the ones we put to death.
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And you won your case most easily and soon you will be free.
Anticipating freedom for the person but recognizing many others will remain incarcerated unfairly.
But there will be a million more who lose their liberty.
Highlighting the disparity in legal outcomes due to financial and social advantages.
Not because of what they did, but what they did not do:
Condemning a system where lack of resources determines one's fate.
They did not pay a lawyer or a judge to see them through.
Recognizing the privilege of having connections and financial means in legal matters.
Why, they had no friends to call on and they could not raise their bail.
Respecting those who face failure due to a lack of support or resources, despite the emphasis on winning.
Well if winning is what matters, I respect the ones who fail
Appreciating those who fail in societal terms but maintain their integrity.
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