Ballad Of ICE Agent Ray
Borderline Justice: Ballad of ICE Agent Ray Reveals a Day's Struggle
Lyrics
Down along the southern border
Introduction to the setting along the southern border.
Rides Agent Ray
Introduction of the main character, Agent Ray.
Been working for ICE for ten years
Agent Ray has been working for ICE for a decade without missing a day.
He hasn't missed a day
Highlighting Ray's dedication to his job.
He's got a big old Thermos filled with coffee
Describing Ray's beverage container as a Thermos filled with coffee.
Or Mountain Dew if it's the afternoon
Alternatively, Ray drinks Mountain Dew in the afternoon.
And binoculars too
Ray uses binoculars in his work.
Over yonder on the golden horizon
Shift in the narrative to a scene on the golden horizon.
Head and shoulders appear
A family is approaching, becoming visible on the horizon.
It's a family of four with women and children
Identification of the family as a group with women and children.
Startin' to get near
The family is getting closer to Agent Ray.
He flashes his badge
Ray identifies himself with a badge.
Pulls his gun
Ray draws his gun, preparing for an enforcement action.
Yells, "Get down on the ground, everyone
Ray commands the family to get on the ground.
You're coming with me
Ray insists that they are coming with him.
You're coming with me"
Repetition of Ray's demand for compliance.
Ray loads them into his paddy wagon
Ray loads the family into his paddy wagon (police vehicle).
And he slams the door
Rough handling as Ray slams the door, causing the kids to fall.
The kids start rollin' and a-tumblin'
Description of the physical impact on the children.
Their head hits the floor
The kids suffer injuries as they hit the floor.
Up in the cab, Ray calls it in
Ray calls in the incident from the cab of his vehicle.
Just another Monday afternoon
Emphasis on the routine nature of such incidents for Ray.
What you gonna do?
Rhetorical question about what Ray will do in this situation.
Back in town at the detention center
Shift in the narrative to the detention center in town.
Ray checks 'em in
Ray processes the detained individuals upon arrival.
Fingerprints them, stamps and collect 'em
Ray's tasks include fingerprinting, stamping, and collecting information.
He gets their next of kin
Ray gathers details about the detainees' next of kin.
The kids go this way, the mamas go that
Repetition of the separation of kids and mothers.
The kids go this way, the mamas go that
-The kids go this way, the mamas go that
-What you gonna do?
Rhetorical questions emphasizing the inevitability of the situation.
What you gonna do?
-Back at home after a long day of workin'
Transition to Ray's home life after a day of work.
Ray settles down
Ray unwinds at home after a long day.
Pops a beer, sits in his chair
Ray drinks beer and takes stock of his surroundings.
He takes a look around
Ray reflects on his desire to watch cartoons as a form of escape.
Well, all he wants to do
Expressing Ray's simple desire for relaxation through watching cartoons.
Is sit back and watch cartoons
-Wouldn't you?
-Wouldn't you?
Repetition of the question, inviting reflection on the viewer's response.
Wouldn't you?
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