Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette
Echoes of Destruction: A Melodic Reflection on Nuclear Peril
Lyrics
They dropped the bomb in '45 to end the world war,
Refers to the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945 to end World War II.
No-one had ever seen such a terrible sight before,
Describes the shock and horror of witnessing the destructive power of the atomic bomb for the first time.
The world looked on with eyes wide to see where it might lead,
Global attention focused on the aftermath, uncertain of the consequences.
The politics of power, they passed around to see,
Political maneuvering and power dynamics played out in the aftermath of the bombings.
It was a time to remember, we never can forget,
Reflects on the unforgettable nature of the events.
They were playin' Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette.
Metaphorically refers to the world as playing a dangerous game with nuclear weapons.
They arose like the saviours of our modern human race,
Depicts those responsible for nuclear development as saviors, despite the danger.
With radiation haloes, that hung about their face,
Describes the visible effects of radiation on those involved in nuclear activities.
With the key to the sure-cure, the treatment of our ills,
Alludes to the belief in a miraculous cure for the consequences of nuclear weapons.
A hot-shot of cobalt, and a pocket-full of pills,
References the use of radioactive cobalt and pharmaceuticals as supposed remedies.
Speaking always of the enemy, who lurked across the sea,
Highlights the constant focus on external enemies to divert attention from internal dangers.
While they crept in among us like a carrier disease.
Compares the infiltration of harmful ideas to the spread of a disease.
Deep down inside the bunkers of the concrete and the lead,
Describes the secretive and protected places where nuclear development occurs.
Einstein's disciples working steadily ahead,
References scientists, possibly influenced by Albert Einstein, working on nuclear projects.
Making heavy metal power-plants to fire the city lights,
Describes the creation of power plants fueled by heavy metals.
All you can hear in the underground is the humming through the night,
Portrays the constant humming of machinery in nuclear facilities.
And the walls of tight security, circle all around,
Depicts the tight security surrounding nuclear facilities.
Where they spill out their poison and bury it in the ground.
Indicates the disposal of nuclear waste, burying it underground.
Holed up in the harbours hidden secretly away,
Refers to hidden harbors storing warheads and submarines.
War-heads and submarines await to make their play,
Points to the readiness of military forces to use nuclear weapons.
The military masterminds improve on their design,
Suggests continuous improvement and development of nuclear weapons.
The soldiers get all doped up and stumble through the lines,
Describes the impact of substance abuse among soldiers.
While the spills into the rivers get carried out by the tide,
Highlights the environmental consequences of spills into rivers.
They call this security but we're not satisfied.
Critiques the inadequacy of security measures.
Our statesmen and leaders and politicians pay,
Criticizes political leaders who prioritize their interests over public safety.
Quick to heed the hand that feeds, they're careful what they say,
Highlights the cautiousness of politicians in dealing with influential entities.
They call out experts to assure us, to wave their magic wands,
Critiques the reliance on so-called experts and their assurances.
This is the power of the future, And the future marches on,
Reflects on the belief in nuclear power as the future despite its dangers.
And they call in their favours, all their political gains,
Describes the political favors exchanged for support of nuclear initiatives.
While the spills fill the rivers and settle in the plains.
Reiterates the environmental damage caused by spills.
They've caused the death of millions, that's their stock and trade,
Accuses those involved in nuclear development of causing widespread death.
They will be afflicted by the fallout that they've made,
Predicts that those responsible will suffer from the consequences of their actions.
They've sealed their own inevitable doom, it must surely come,
Suggests the inevitability of retribution for those involved in nuclear activities.
Not even the moons of Jupiter will be far enough away to run,
Emphasizes that even distant places won't escape the consequences.
When this earth that they've assaulted, begins to turn around,
Foretells the turning of public opinion against nuclear activities.
And the unavoidable gravity, sucks them to the ground.
Depicts the irresistible force of gravity bringing accountability to those responsible.
I know the minds behind them, they are riddled full of holes,
Criticizes the moral character and reliability of those in charge of nuclear weapons.
Not to be trusted with their hands at the controls,
Expresses distrust in the competence of leaders handling nuclear controls.
Their eyesight it is twisted by the glory of their careers,
Comments on the corrupting influence of power on the judgment of those in charge.
The heaped praise and flattery is music to their ears,
Describes the attraction of praise and flattery to those in positions of power.
To listen to them talk about how it hasn't happened,
Mockingly refers to the denial of the adverse effects of nuclear activities.
Yet's like playing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette.
Compares the ongoing dangerous game with nuclear weapons to the referenced Russian Roulette.
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