Land of the Free
Echoes of Freedom: Unveiling the Harsh Realities in 'Land of the Free'
Lyrics
They're piling bodies up on the plains
Reference to mass deaths on the plains, possibly indicating a historical event or metaphor for tragedy.
All of the strangers with so many claims and
Strangers with various claims, suggesting diverse perspectives or conflicting interests.
All that hope served as a warning
Hope acted as a warning, implying that optimism may lead to disappointment or consequences.
Now they're falling like dominoes on a late December morning
Comparison of falling like dominoes to emphasize a rapid and widespread negative event in December.
And stack up the dead and just leave them
Leaving dead bodies without proper respect, possibly reflecting a lack of empathy or regard for human life.
It proves we've got the last word in patriotism
Sarcastic remark suggesting a distorted sense of patriotism emphasizing dominance.
And send the live ones to some western reservation
Live ones sent to a western reservation based on their skin color and ideas, addressing discrimination.
They've got the wrong coloured skin and ideas above their station
Highlighting discrimination based on skin color and social status.
I'm singing holy homeland
Expressing devotion to the homeland with a hint of sarcasm or irony.
While a nation is choking
Nation choking implies internal struggles or issues.
You smile and say ?you know we said land of the free?
Reference to the phrase "land of the free" with a suggestion that it was said insincerely.
?Yeah, well we were just joking?
Admitting that the declaration of being the "land of the free" was a joke.
This land is your land
Allusion to the idea that the land belongs to everyone.
With one roll of the dice and one guiltless command
Outcome determined by chance and a command without guilt.
Now you're sitting watching TV
Passively watching TV, accepting guidance from questionable sources.
Accepting moral direction from a crank shrink with an impressive CV
Receiving moral direction from a dubious psychiatrist.
Your new god is your video screen
Video screen as a new god, criticizing the influence of media on values.
Washed up, spun out by and American dream,
Describing the American dream as washed up and destructive.
Only memories of ghosts that patrol this place
Memories of past struggles linger, suggesting unresolved issues.
And this land, your land is a terminal case
The land is described as a terminal case, indicating a critical condition or irreversible decline.
You're singing holy homeland
Reiteration of singing for the homeland with sarcasm or irony.
While a nation is choking
Reiteration of the nation choking, emphasizing ongoing problems.
You smile and say ?you know we said land of the free?
Reiteration of the insincere declaration of being the "land of the free."
?Yeah, well we were just joking?
Acknowledgment that the previous statement about being the "land of the free" was a joke.
Who am I to criticise
Expressing hesitancy to criticize, possibly highlighting hypocrisy or shared faults.
From a country with no problems about selling one another
Acknowledging issues in the speaker's own country, creating a sense of self-awareness.
I guess we all have our dirty ink stains on the history books
Recognition of shared historical stains, admitting collective responsibility.
In the pages, on the cover
Metaphorically referring to historical issues and their visibility.
And at dawn storm clouds disappear the future brings all hope and glory
Positive outlook with the disappearance of storm clouds and hope for the future.
Ghost dancers rise 500 years
Reference to Ghost Dancers, symbolizing resilience and the passage of time.
Like there will never be another end to this story
Suggesting the ongoing nature of historical narratives and their impact on the present.
I'm singing holy homeland
Reiteration of singing for the homeland with a critical tone.
While a nation is choking
Reiteration of the nation choking, maintaining a focus on current struggles.
You smile and say ?you know we said land of the free?
Reiteration of the insincere declaration of being the "land of the free."
?Yeah, well we were just joking?
Acknowledgment that the previous statement about being the "land of the free" was a joke.
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