Guns of Brixton
Rebellion Echoes: Guns of Brixton's Struggle Unveiled
Lyrics
When they kick at your front door
When faced with a threat at your front door
How you gonna come?
How will you respond?
With your hands on your head
Options include surrendering with hands on head
Or on the trigger of your gun
Or preparing to use a gun
When the law break in
When the authorities break the law
How you gonna go?
How will you act?
Shot down on the pavement
Possibility of being shot on the pavement
Or waiting on death row
Or facing death row
You can crush us
Resistance against oppression
You can bruise us
Physical and emotional harm may be inflicted
But you'll have to answer to
But oppressors will be held accountable
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Reference to the formidable power of Brixton
The money feels good
Material wealth is enticing
And your life you like it well
Enjoying life but recognizing an inevitable reckoning
But surely your time will come
The certainty of facing consequences
As in heaven, as in hell
Similarity between earthly and divine justice
You see, he feels like Ivan
Identification with the character Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
Born under challenging circumstances in Brixton
His game is called survivin'
Survival is the primary objective
At the end of the harder they come
Referencing a tough life as portrayed in "The Harder They Come"
You know it means no mercy
Expecting no mercy in a harsh environment
They caught him with a gun
Character caught with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
No need for police transport (Black Maria)
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
Farewell to the sun of Brixton
You can crush us
Reiteration of resistance to oppression
You can bruise us
Persistence despite physical harm
Yes, even shoot us
Even willing to face gunfire
But oh-the guns of Brixton
Emphasizing the power and threat of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
Repetition of the threat at the front door
How you gonna come?
Questioning the response once again
With your hands on your head
Options include surrender or resistance
Or on the trigger of your gun
Reiterating the choice between submission and armed defense
You can crush us
Endurance against oppression
You can bruise us
Tolerance of physical harm
Yeah, even shoot us
Even readiness to face gunfire
But oh-the guns of Brixton
Re-emphasizing the power and threat of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Describing the potential fate of being shot on the pavement
Waiting in death row
Anticipating death row as a consequence
His game is called survivin'
Survival remains the central focus
As in heaven as in hell
Linking survival to both heavenly and hellish realms
You can crush us
Resilience against oppression
You can bruise us
Tolerance of physical harm persists
But you'll have to answer to
Consequences for oppressors are inevitable
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Reiteration of the power and threat of Brixton
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