Pretend
Smiling Masks of Subjugation
Lyrics
They came at night
Refers to an undisclosed event happening at night
No one was watching
Emphasizes the secretive nature of the event, with no observers
And they travel light
Suggests the intruders have minimal possessions or baggage
Before we knew
Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the takeover
They'd taken over
Implies that the invasion has already occurred
And now they've come for you
Indicates a threat to the listener, suggesting they are the next target
One, Two
Repetition of counting with various ominous scenarios, reinforcing the threat's ubiquity
(They're in your room)
-Three, Four
-(They're at the store)
-Five, Six
-(They got the kids)
-Nine, Ten
-(They got your friends)
-No one noticed when the world began to change
Describes a lack of awareness as the world undergoes a significant transformation
'Til one by one we started going down in flames
Portrays a gradual decline or crisis affecting individuals
Now I don't want to be the one who doesn't live to see the end
Expresses a desire to survive until the end despite the challenging circumstances
So I just smile and pretend...
Introduces the theme of pretending to cope with the dire situation
Call them your friends
Suggests different labels for those responsible, such as friends or leaders
Call them your saviors
-Or your presidents
-Call it the truth, but
Challenges the accepted truth and warns of the potential consequences for the speaker
Spare me your sermons
-Until they turn on you
-One, Two
Continuation of counting with scenarios indicating the widespread influence of the threat
(They're on the news)
-Three, Four
-(They're at your door)
-Five, Six
-(They know your tricks)
-Nine, Ten
-(They know your plans)
-No one noticed when the world began to change
Reiterates the lack of awareness as the world undergoes a transformation
'Til one by one we started going down in flames
Reinforces the idea of a gradual decline or crisis affecting individuals
Now I don't want to be the one who doesn't live to see the end
Reaffirms the desire to survive despite the challenging circumstances
So I just smile and pretend...
Reiterates the theme of pretending to cope with the dire situation
One, Two
Further scenarios highlighting the extensive control and impact of the threat
(They run the schools)
-Three, Four
-(They change the score)
-Five, Six
-(They got the rich)
-Nine, Ten
-(They always win)
-No one noticed when the world began to change
Repeats the lack of awareness as the world undergoes a transformation
'Til one by one we started going down in flames
Reiterates the portrayal of a gradual decline or crisis affecting individuals
Now I don't want to be the one who doesn't live to see the end
Reiterates the desire to survive until the end despite the challenging circumstances
So I just smile and pretend
Reiterates the theme of pretending to cope with the dire situation
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