Lyrics
Oh, a rifle took its aim and a man fell to the ground.
Depicts a man being shot by a rifle, falling to the ground.
He tried to stand again but everybody held him down:
Despite the man's attempt to stand, others prevent him from doing so.
A time of terror when the bullet pierced the air --
Describes a moment of terror as a bullet pierces the air.
I know that couldn't happen here.
Expresses doubt that such an event could happen in the narrator's country.
Oh, it must have been another country --
Suggests that the incident occurred in another country.
Yes, it must have been another land.
Reiterates the idea that it must have happened in a different land.
That couldn't happen in the U.S.A.
Denies the possibility of such an occurrence in the U.S.A.
We'd never treat a man that way.
Asserts that the U.S.A. would never mistreat a man in that way.
And a migrant worker sweats underneath the blazin' sun.
Describes a migrant worker toiling under the hot sun.
He's fallen on his knees but his work is never done.
Despite his hard work, the worker is not acknowledged.
He begs someone to listen but nobody seems to care,
The worker pleads for attention, but nobody seems to care.
And I know that couldn't happen here.
Expresses disbelief that such neglect could happen in the narrator's country.
Oh, it must have been another country --
Repeats the idea that this must have occurred in another country.
Yes, it must have been another land.
Emphasizes the belief that it happened in a different land.
That couldn't happen in the U.S.A.
Denies the likelihood of such mistreatment in the U.S.A.
We'd never treat a man that way.
Reiterates the conviction that the U.S.A. would not treat a man that way.
And a man is working steady, it's good money he receives
Portrays a man with a steady job but loses it due to unconventional beliefs.
But he's thrown out of work for the wrong things he believes.
He loses employment for not conforming to widely held thoughts.
He didn't have the thoughts most everybody shares.
Indicates the man's divergence from commonly accepted beliefs.
I know that couldn't happen here,
Expresses disbelief that this could happen in the narrator's country.
so it must have been another country --
Insists that it must have taken place in another country.
Yes, it must have been another land.
Emphasizes the belief that it happened in a different land.
That couldn't happen in the U.S.A.
Denies the likelihood of such mistreatment in the U.S.A.
We'd never treat a man that way.
Reiterates the conviction that the U.S.A. would not treat a man that way.
And a man is sent to prison to wait until he dies.
Describes a man sent to prison, struggling for his life.
He fights to save his life, for years and years he tries.
Despite efforts to change, the man faces death on the electric chair.
Even though he changed himself he dies upon the chair.
Even with personal transformation, the man meets a tragic end.
I know that couldn't happen here.
Expresses doubt that such an execution could happen in the narrator's country.
Oh, it must have been another country --
Repeats the idea that this must have occurred in another country.
Yes, it must have been another land.
Emphasizes the belief that it happened in a different land.
That couldn't happen in the U.S.A.
Denies the likelihood of such mistreatment in the U.S.A.
We'd never treat a man that way.
Reiterates the conviction that the U.S.A. would not treat a man that way.
Oh, I know we'd never treat a man that way.
A final affirmation that mistreatment of a man would not occur in the U.S.A.
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