Among the Dead
Rising from the Ashes: Tim Armstrong's Anthem of Resilience
Lyrics
Among the dead
Expressing a sense of being amidst the deceased or facing adversity/destruction.
We will rise
Confident assertion of resilience and revival despite challenges.
If you count me out you better think again
Warning against underestimating or dismissing the speaker; a call for reconsideration.
You better realize now that I ain't stopping
Emphasizing determination and an unwavering commitment to continue without stopping.
This is where I start, this is where I begin
Declaring the beginning of a journey or endeavor.
This is where you stop, this is where you end
Setting boundaries and signaling the end of someone else's influence or control.
Woke up in a downtown street
Describing a challenging situation, waking up in a troubled environment.
We were crashed out living in rubble
Recalling a time of hardship, living among ruins and wreckage.
Broken bones, broken homes
Highlighting physical and social damage, emphasizing a difficult upbringing.
Broken kid's living in the jungle
Describing a tough neighborhood with struggling youth.
Nineteen eighty seven in the east bay cold as hell it's the middle of summer
Setting the time and place (1987 in East Bay), emphasizing harsh conditions.
Me and Jesse and Matt and Dave Mello, he was the drummer
Introducing companions, providing a glimpse into the speaker's past.
My momma said you better watch your back boy
Mother's advice to be cautious and vigilant in a challenging environment.
Keep your head up and be a shot blocker
Encouragement to stay strong and resilient, especially in the face of adversity.
On the outside looking in wit the freaks and the thugs and all the punk rockers
Feeling like an outsider observing diverse subcultures and societal misfits.
They say I'm outta step in this world so step back man I ain't gonna warn ya
Defiant response to criticism or judgment, claiming individuality.
Here's a message for the disenfranchised of East bay California
Addressing the marginalized and disempowered in East Bay, offering a message.
Let me tell you something about the Eastbay: It's California but it ain't sunny
Contrasting the grim reality of East Bay with the stereotypical sunny image of California.
All my dreams came crashing down I'm outta home my street got no money
Personal hardships leading to a loss of dreams, home, and financial stability.
And got no band, and got no one around, and all the music is gone man
Feeling isolated without a band or supportive community, music no longer present.
No where to sleep on the ground wondering what the fuck went wrong now
Desperation and confusion about personal circumstances.
Know what it's like to walk among the dead?
Rhetorical question about experiencing the feeling of being surrounded by hopelessness.
I?m alone in total isolation
Expressing profound loneliness and isolation.
No ones there this is my final destination
Conveying a sense of abandonment and the idea of reaching a final destination.
Old man preaching bout war and peace and the path and total damnation
Reference to an old man preaching about war, peace, damnation, highlighting societal issues.
I always seem to get up get out and survive in every situation
Reflecting on the ability to overcome challenges and survive various situations.
Than one day Matt says let's get the band together let's do this one more time
Introduction of a turning point where the idea of forming a band is suggested.
So I'm, OK that sounds good, let's give it a try, let's give it one more run
Agreeing to give the band idea a chance, expressing a willingness to try again.
They got no rides
Highlighting the lack of transportation for some, but determination to proceed.
We got drums
List of musical instruments, indicating the basic elements needed for the band.
We got guitars
Confirmation of the musical resources available for the band.
We got the songs all night long
Affirmation of having songs for the band to perform throughout the night.
Comment