Die Like A Poor Man
Rising from Ashes: Defying Fate in 'Die Like A Poor Man'
Lyrics
It's been five years since they shut down the factory
Reflecting on the closure of the factory five years ago.
And ten since that well had run dry
A decade since the well ran dry, indicating a prolonged struggle.
Well I sold my soul for the American Dream
Selling one's soul for the American Dream, which now feels suffocating.
Now it feels like I'm buried alive
Expressing a sense of being trapped or suffocated in life.
Oh it feels like I'm buried alive
Reiteration of feeling buried alive, emphasizing the emotional burden.
But I worked too damn hard
Hard work contrasts with the fear of a poor man's death.
To die like a poor man
A strong determination not to die in poverty despite challenges.
Chained to the land of the free
Feeling chained to the idea of freedom in a paradoxical way.
Wasted my younger days
Regretting the wastage of youthful years pursuing the dream.
Hostage to fortune
Being held hostage by fortune, perhaps implying economic struggles.
Believing that God cared for me
Reflecting on past faith in God's care and questioning it now.
Oh believing that God cared for me
Reiteration of the previous line, emphasizing the shift in belief.
This job was never a good living
The job never provided a good living but was accepted as a way of life.
But 'round here it's a way of life
Highlighting the local context where the job is ingrained in life.
You work 'til you die or you go overseas
Options seem limited: work until death or seek opportunities overseas.
To come home in a box made of pine
Returning home in a pine box, referencing the high cost of such choices.
Folded flags for the ones left behind
Mention of folded flags symbolizing the sacrifice and loss of others.
But I worked too damn hard
Reiterating the theme of working hard to avoid a poor man's death.
To die like a poor man
Reaffirming the determination to avoid dying in poverty.
Chained to the land of the free
Feeling chained to the concept of freedom despite the struggles.
Wasted my younger days
Regret over wasting youthful days pursuing the elusive dream.
Hostage to fortune
Being held hostage by fortune, with a sense of regret.
Believing that God cared for me
Reflecting on past faith in God's care and questioning it now.
Oh believing that God cared for me
Reiteration of the shift in belief regarding God's care.
But I worked too damn hard
Reemphasizing the hard work to avoid a poor man's fate.
To die like a poor man
Reaffirming the determination to escape poverty through hard work.
Chained to the land of the free
Feeling chained to the idea of freedom despite the ongoing struggle.
Wasted my younger days
Regret over the squandering of youthful days chasing the dream.
Hostage to fortune
Being held hostage by fortune, with a sense of regret.
Believing that God cared for me
Reflecting on past faith in God's care and questioning it now.
Oh believing that God cared for me
Reiteration of the shift in belief regarding God's care.
I worked too damn hard
Stressing the intensity of hard work to avoid a poor man's fate.
To die like a poor man
Reaffirming the determination to escape poverty through hard work.
Chained to the land of the free
Feeling chained to the paradoxical concept of freedom.
Wasted my younger days
Regret over the wastage of youthful days chasing the elusive dream.
Hostage to fortune
Being held hostage by fortune, with a sense of regret.
Believing that God cared for me
Reflecting on past faith in God's care and questioning it now.
Oh believing that God cared for me
Reiteration of the shift in belief regarding God's care.
Oh believing that God cared for me
Concluding with a lingering doubt about God's care despite past belief.
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