Lyrics
The father plays the master
The father assumes the role of authority.
The mother plays the slave
The mother takes on a subservient role.
Children pay the piper
Children bear the consequences of decisions, akin to paying the piper.
They suffer or behave
They experience suffering or conform to expected behavior.
We came into town
Arrival in town to witness a horse race.
To watch the ponies race
Observing silently as a master physically punishes a slave.
We spoke not a word
No words spoken during this event.
When a master whipped a slave
Witnessing a harsh act of a master disciplining a slave.
There was blood upon his back
Blood on the slave's back, indicating severe abuse.
He was trembling inside
The slave is internally shaken or traumatized.
We turned away from the terror and fright
Turning away from the horrifying scene.
When an open hand
A gesture of care turns into violence.
Turns into a fist
Choosing to stand with those opposing oppressive force.
Let me stand beside
Supporting the one who defies the whip.
The one who breaks the whip
Advocating for a change in power dynamics.
Who do you serve
Questioning who someone serves, challenging their motives.
Do you serve yourself
Asking whether one serves their own interests.
Open your eyes and save someone else
Encouraging awareness and action to help others.
I am not a master
Denial of being a master, rejecting oppressive roles.
You are not a slave
Rejecting the notion of being a slave, asserting human equality.
We are only human
Emphasizing shared humanity, transcending societal roles.
We must not surrender
A call to resist surrendering to injustice or inequality.
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