I Can't Breathe
New Slavery: Chains, Illusions, and Suffocation
Lyrics
I see new slaves loving hangman
I observe individuals newly enslaved expressing affection for their oppressor, the hangman.
I see new slaves gobble garbage
I witness new slaves eagerly consuming and accepting worthless or harmful things.
I see new slaves hating brothers
I see recently enslaved individuals harboring resentment towards their fellow brethren.
I see old slaves dream the power
I perceive old slaves envisioning the acquisition of authority or control.
I see new slaves adore their chains
Newly enslaved people seem to take pride in their own subjugation and limitations.
I see new slaves keep the own noose
New slaves willingly tighten their own noose, contributing to their own oppression.
I see new slaves dancing cha cha
New slaves engage in a dance, metaphorically representing compliance or conformity.
I see new slaves dancing happy
New slaves participate in a joyful dance, possibly indicating obliviousness or ignorance.
I see new slaves singing ya ya
New slaves sing in agreement or conformity (ya ya).
I see new slaves hating forlorn
Newly enslaved individuals express hatred and bitterness.
...and give grace to the jailer
Repetition of the idea to give grace or favor to the one who imprisons.
...and give grace to the jailer
-I can't breathe, I illude myself of existing, I can't breathe
The speaker experiences a feeling of suffocation, both physically and metaphorically, losing a sense of self.
I see flames where new books burn
The speaker observes destruction, symbolized by burning books, possibly signifying suppression of knowledge.
I see all these heads bowed
People are submissive or bowed down, possibly indicating submission to authority.
I see base of pyramids clogged
The foundation of societal structures (pyramids) is congested or blocked.
And the mites breathing black fog
There is a presence of microscopic organisms emitting a dark cloud, possibly symbolizing corruption or decay.
I see new slaves adore their chains
Reiteration of the idea that new slaves take pride in their own subjugation and limitations.
I see new slaves keep the own noose
Repetition of the notion that new slaves willingly contribute to their own oppression.
I see new slaves dancing cha cha
New slaves engage in a dance, symbolizing compliance or conformity (cha cha).
I see new slaves dancing happy
New slaves participate in a joyful dance, possibly indicating obliviousness or ignorance.
I see new slaves singing ya ya
New slaves sing in agreement or conformity (ya ya).
I see new slaves hating forlorn
Newly enslaved individuals express hatred and bitterness.
...and give grace to the jailer
Repetition of the idea to give grace or favor to the one who imprisons.
...and give grace to the jailer
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