Lyrics
There's a man walking round the island with a snake cane
Describing a man with a snake cane, possibly acquired in Thailand from a hurricane.
He picked it up in Thailand from a hurricane
Suggesting that the man will not return to Thailand, having been there one time too many.
And you know he's not gonna go there
Implies a reluctance or refusal to revisit Thailand.
He's been one time too long
Indicates the man has exceeded a limit in visiting Thailand.
Now all the gods are gone (Though the game is gone)
Referring to the absence of gods, possibly relating to a loss of faith or guidance.
The younger boys are drowning in a shallow sea
Depicting a tragic situation where young boys are drowning in a shallow sea.
The night belongs to snipers in palm trees
The night is dangerous, with snipers in palm trees, possibly symbolizing hidden threats.
And their sabres flashed like lightning
Describing a violent scene with sabres flashing during the charge of the last brigade.
In the charge of the last brigade
Suggesting fear among soldiers during a final battle.
They must have been afraid
Speculating on the soldiers' fear during the mentioned charge.
Soldiers have their sorrow
Highlighting that soldiers experience sorrow.
The wretched have their rage
Indicating that the wretched experience rage.
Pray for the aged it's the dawn of another age
Encouraging prayers for the aged, signifying the dawn of a new era.
Of another age
Repetition emphasizing the dawn of a new age.
Of another age
-Of another age
-The blood running down the blackboard on a blank(?) screen (in a thin stream?)
Depicting blood on a blackboard and convicts shaking cages in a bad dream.
The convicts shake their cages of a bad dream
Illustrating a disturbing scene where convicts react to a nightmarish dream.
And they'll coach you in the classroom that it cannot happen here
Sarcastically suggesting that the classroom teaches that certain events can't happen, though they have.
But it has happened here
Asserting that the denied events have indeed occurred.
I remember nothing that I memorized (The cockroach cops are crawling on a battle ground)
Recalling a lack of memory despite having experienced traumatic events.
I got my education from a black eye (The shields are in the shadows, it's a college town)
Indicating an unconventional source of education, possibly involving violence.
And they'll teach you law and order
Warning against raising a hand in dissent due to potential consequences.
If you dare to raise your hand
Connecting punishment to dissent.
Spare the glove and spoil the man
Playing on the proverb "spare the rod and spoil the child," suggesting a harsh approach.
Soldiers have their sorrow
Reiteration of soldiers experiencing sorrow.
The wretched have their rage
Reiteration of the wretched experiencing rage.
Pray for the aged
Repetition of the call to pray for the aged in the new era.
It's the dawn of another age
Emphasizing the dawn of another age through repetition.
Of another age
-Of another age
-Thomas Paine and Jesse James are old friends
Noting historical figures, Thomas Paine and Jesse James, as old friends.
And Robin Hood is riding on the road again
Referencing Robin Hood's return to action.
We were born in a revolution and we died in a wasted war
Commenting on a cycle of birth in revolution and death in war.
It's gone that way before
Reflecting on the repetitive nature of history.
The dogs are chasing chicken bones across the lawn
Describing a trivial scene of dogs chasing chicken bones, possibly juxtaposing with serious matters.
If that was an election, I'm a Viet Cong
Expressing skepticism about the legitimacy of an election.
So I pledge allegiance against the flag
Rejecting allegiance to the flag.
and the (fall,flaw,cloth?) for which it stands
Unclear line, possibly referencing a flaw or cloth associated with the flag.
I'll raise/raze it if I can (Pledge allegiance to the land)
Expressing a willingness to raise or raze the flag in defiance.
Soldier have their sorrow
Reiteration of soldiers experiencing sorrow.
The wretched have their rage
Reiteration of the wretched experiencing rage.
Pray for the aged
Repetition of the call to pray for the aged in the new era.
It's the dawn of another age
Emphasizing the dawn of another age through repetition.
Of another age
-Of another age
-Of another age
-Of another age
Repetition underscoring the arrival of a new era.
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