Fates
Unveiling the Chains: Richie Havens' Poetic Condemnation of Modern Bondage
Lyrics
He has religion with no compassion
He possesses a form of religion lacking compassion.
To make decisions, of every passion
He makes decisions driven by every passion.
Hes got his yacht, hes got his mansion,
He owns a yacht and a mansion.
He got his servants, hes got expansion
He has servants, and his influence is expanding.
They keep on talking, there oh so proud
People around him boast with pride.
They keep us walking, they scream so loud
They keep others moving, shouting loudly.
They own the venue, they own he crowd
They control the venue and the entire crowd.
Hey, yeah, slavery
Expresses discontent or criticism, possibly towards societal oppression.
He got his fat dreams, he got his slaves
He indulges in extravagant dreams and owns slaves.
He got his profits, he owns our cage,
He gains profits at the expense of others, asserting control like an owner of a cage.
He has his prisons, he has his gates
He is associated with prisons and gates, suggesting control and confinement.
He has his judges, they have our fate
He influences judges who determine the fate of others.
They divide the nations, they freeze the heart
They create divisions among nations and instill coldness in hearts.
Self manipulation right from the start
Suggests manipulation of oneself from the beginning.
They give permission, others do their parts
They grant permission while others execute their plans.
Oh, yeah, slavery
Reiterates discontent or criticism, using the term "slavery."
Hes got his card, hes got his books
He possesses a card and books, emphasizing knowledge and resources.
He knows is urgent, to poor a hut
Awareness of urgency in aiding the poor.
He got his weakness, we've got his number
He has weaknesses, and others are aware of his vulnerabilities.
And we will be there next time he plunders
Anticipation of being there to resist his exploitation next time.
I'm going to tell you one by one
Expresses an intention to reveal truths one by one.
Everybody here is on the run
Suggests a sense of urgency, with everyone being on the run.
I'm going to tell you, you've got to know
Emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth.
Hey, yeah, its all slavery, slavery
Reiterates the concept of everything being akin to slavery.
Its all slavery
Restates the idea that everything is characterized by slavery.
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