Paris Is Burning
Paris Is Burning: Revelry in Revolution
Lyrics
I write to give word the war is over
I write to announce the end of the war
Send my cinders home to mother
Send my remains back to my mother
They gave me a medal for my valor
Received a medal for my bravery
Leaden trumpets spit the soot of power
Heavy trumpets emit the ashes of power
They say, "I'm on your side
People claim support but are absent when needed
"When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
Invitation to sit and rest, while deceitful intentions are whispered
"Come sit right here and sleep
Encouragement to sleep, possibly metaphorical for ignoring reality
"While I slip poison in your ear"
A warning of betrayal, slipping poison into one's trust
We are waiting on a telegram
Anticipation for a message, possibly regarding a downfall
To give us news of the fall
Hopeful for news about a significant event or change
I am sorry to report
Regretful update on the state of Paris
Dear Paris is burning after all
Expression of sorrow for the burning of Paris
We have taken to the streets
Citizens taking to the streets in open rebellion
In open rejoice revolting
Celebrating and revolting against the established order
We are dancing a black waltz
Dancing a rebellious and unconventional waltz
Fair Paris is burning after all
Confirmation that Paris is indeed burning
Enclosed in this letter there's a picture
Letter includes a picture for remembrance
Black and white for your refrigerator
Black and white image for a refrigerator, symbolic of memories
Sticks and stones have made me smarter
Physical and verbal attacks have made the speaker more resilient
It's words that cut me under my armor
Words have a deeper impact, cutting through emotional defenses
They say, "I'm on your side
Repeated assertion of support that may be deceptive
"When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
Reiteration of the theme of false support
"Come sit right here and sleep
Invitation to rest while betrayal is planned
"While I slip poison in your ear"
Warning of deceit, slipping poison through deceptive words
We are waiting on a telegram
Waiting for a message, possibly about a significant event
To give us news of the fall
Hopeful anticipation for news about a fall or change
I am sorry to report
Regretful report on the burning state of Paris
Dear Paris is burning after all
Expression of sorrow for the burning of Paris
We have taken to the streets
Citizens participating in open and joyful rebellion
In open rejoice revolting
Celebratory and defiant revolt in the streets
We are dancing a black waltz
Dancing a rebellious and unconventional waltz
Fair Paris is burning after all
Confirmation that Paris is indeed burning
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Call for Paris to dance and collapse
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
Call for Paris to dance, now reduced to ashes
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Call for Paris to dance and collapse
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
Call for Paris to dance, now reduced to ashes
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Call for Paris to dance and collapse
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Encouragement for the impoverished to dance and escape
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
Call for Paris to dance, now reduced to ashes
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