Lyrics
O' Say, can you see?
The speaker questions the sight of something, possibly the state of the nation.
By the dawn's early light
Describing the time of day, suggesting a new perspective on the situation.
We get 'em young,
Refers to the recruitment of young individuals into military service.
Give 'em guns
Implies the arming of young recruits.
And ship 'em off to fight.
Describes the deployment of armed individuals into combat.
While the rocket's red glare
References the visual and emotional impact of war, symbolized by rockets.
Is keeping everyone scared
Suggests that fear is being used as a tool of control.
They say, "just relax
Quotes a directive to relax and trust in authority.
Put your trust in me
Encourages reliance on authority figures.
And you can sit back and watch the war on your screen."
Describes the detachment of people watching war unfold on screens.
The country's run by lunatics,
States a belief that the country is governed by mentally unstable individuals.
They're picking up their pens,
Refers to political leaders expressing their views in writing.
Writing themselves into Revelation,
Mentions a connection to biblical prophecy.
"This is how it's gonna end!"
Expresses a fatalistic view of the future.
Well, I tried hard to bite my tongue,
Indicates the speaker's struggle to withhold criticism.
Like a good American
Describes an attempt to conform to patriotic ideals.
But they recruited my little brother
Reveals the enlistment of the speaker's brother and friends into the military.
And they're shipping off my friends.
Points out the reality of loved ones being sent off to war.
Broad stripes and bright stars
References the American flag's visual elements.
Through the perilous fight,
Describes a challenging and dangerous struggle.
You know those who stand to gain
Highlights the disparity between those who benefit from war and those who sacrifice.
Are not the ones who sacrifice -
Observes the distant view of destruction without personal involvement.
Watching bombs burst in air
Describes the detached observation of explosive events.
From a comfortable chair,
Points to the ease of watching war comfortably.
They just say, "in God we trust,
Critiques the hypocritical reliance on God during war.
And God trusts in greed,
Suggests that the powerful prioritize greed over morality.
Yeah as long as they never show real blood on TV."
Comments on the sanitized portrayal of war in the media.
I'm not sorry if this makes you mad,
The speaker expresses a lack of remorse for presenting a challenging viewpoint.
In fact I hope this wakes you up
Expresses a desire for the audience to awaken to the harsh realities presented.
Cause you'll never see what's going on with your eyes so tightly shut!
Challenges the audience's perception of the world.
There are too many unanswered questions,
Highlights the existence of unanswered questions.
From the towers in New York
Refers to the 9/11 attacks and the mysteries surrounding them.
To the lies leading up to another corporate sponsored war
Criticizes the deceptive reasons leading to wars influenced by corporations.
Well I'll support the troops by asking what they're really fighting for
Expresses support for the troops by questioning the purpose of their fight.
And I think that's more patriotic than flying a flag from my front porch.
Defines a personal form of patriotism that involves critical thinking.
Come on, let's go out and start a fight!
Sarcastically suggests starting a fight as a form of addressing issues.
Cause you know two wrongs always make a right.
Questions the validity of the idea that two wrongs make a right.
Come on, let's go out and start a fight!
Reiterates the sarcastic call to start a fight.
Cause you know two wrongs never make a right.
Rejects the notion that engaging in conflict is a solution.
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