Lyrics
Yeah?
Expression of surprise or confirmation
They were sure I was guilty, but I committed no crime
Proclaiming innocence despite being accused
They said: confessions bring lenience, so that put me on the line
Acknowledging pressure to confess for leniency
So I, protest the massacres at the Talliman Square
Protesting against massacres at Tiananmen Square
My friends say yo, stay away man, you better not go fucking back there
Friends warning against returning to a dangerous place
Oh.
Expression of realization or emphasis
Watch this
Introduction or transition to a new theme
One night I might write about my opinions about the state
Expressing intention to write about personal opinions
And the freedom of expression they would never tolerate
Highlighting the lack of tolerance for freedom of expression
And the, military secrets that I never did steal
Denying involvement in stealing military secrets
I didn't start no violence, no, and there was nobody that I killed
Asserting non-violence and innocence
No.
Reiteration of non-violent stance
So I had a clear account of all abusers of power
Claiming awareness of abuses of power
And the memories of homeland all gone sour
Reflecting on negative memories of homeland
And I only got one weapon, it's so plain for me to see
Having only one weapon, identified as poetry
My only weapon I call, poetry
Reiteration of poetry as the sole weapon
And I don't even know why
Expressing confusion or uncertainty
The truth seems like a lie
Reflecting on the paradox of truth seeming like a lie
In my cell there is no sky
Describing a confined space with no sky
When I was arrested in Shanghai
Referencing the experience of being arrested in Shanghai
Now, in a world of privilege I was not born
Not born into privilege but dedicated to freedom and liberty
But, the devotion of freedom and liberty I was sworn
Emphasizing the commitment to freedom and liberty
So, every emotion is studied, watched their control
Observing the control and manipulation of emotions
Who gets paid, who gets disciplined, who gets born
Questioning the outcomes of who gets paid, disciplined, or born
So, transmitting beams my coordinates, anywhere on Earth
Describing the transmission of coordinates worldwide
And, as radio waves, surveillance, satellite bursts
Metaphorical reference to surveillance through radio waves
Open up your skull and let some knowledge come in
Encouraging opening the mind to receive knowledge
Yeah, crack open the cranium and let awareness begin
Metaphorically urging awareness to begin in the mind
Oh.
Expression of realization or emphasis
And I don't even know why
Expressing confusion or uncertainty (repeated)
The truth seems like a lie
Reflecting on the paradox of truth seeming like a lie (repeated)
In my cell there is no sky
Describing a confined space with no sky (repeated)
When I was arrested in Shanghai
Referencing the experience of being arrested in Shanghai (repeated)
When I was arrested in Shanghai
Reiteration of the arrest in Shanghai (repeated)
When I was arrested in Shanghai
Repetition of the arrest experience with enthusiasm
Woo!
Expressing excitement or celebration
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