Northern Frontier
Tragic Echoes in the Northern Frontier
Lyrics
On a muggy night in the north end in July
Describes the setting on a hot night in July in the north end.
A kid named Joseph Beeper Spence
Introduces a character named Joseph "Beeper" Spence.
Took a shotgun blast to the back
Recounts the tragic event where Beeper is shot in the back with a shotgun and dies.
And died...
Expresses the finality of Beeper Spence's death.
There by the CP tracks, along the great divide, you see
Places the incident near the CP tracks and refers to the divide between two native gangs, the deuce and the I.P.
Fought two native gangs called the deuce and the I.P.
Describes the conflict between the two native gangs mentioned.
Dances with warriors, hatred between slaves
Introduces themes of conflict, hatred, and violence among different groups, using the metaphor of "Dances with warriors."
They kill each other off, we all get saved
Suggests a paradox where the self-destruction of groups leads to collective salvation.
I can't help but think... his mother's tears
Reflects on the sorrow of Beeper's mother through her tears.
Beeper Spence was thirteen
Reveals Beeper Spence's young age at thirteen.
In the northern frontier
Mentions the location of the tragedy as the "northern frontier."
A van crossed the bridge that night
Introduces a van crossing the bridge on that fateful night.
And stopped at Flora Avenue
Specifies the van stopping at Flora Avenue.
When Beeper thought they'd lost their way
Describes Beeper's attempt to help when he thought the van was lost.
Walked over to see what he could do
Details Beeper approaching the van to offer assistance.
"Are you I.P.? Straight up," he'd say
Quoting Beeper questioning if they belong to the I.P. gang.
Even if it wasn't true
Indicates Beeper's willingness to help, even if they were not I.P.
"Bust a cap in his ass."
Quoting a threatening phrase likely directed at Beeper.
He turned to run, heard the blast
Describes Beeper attempting to flee upon hearing the gunshot.
Then he was through
Portrays the moment Beeper is fatally wounded.
The kids in the van weren't much older than him
Compares the age of the kids in the van to Beeper, emphasizing their youth.
Couldn't tell the difference by the color of their skin
Highlights the lack of distinction between them based on skin color.
One thing in common, and one thing was real clear
Underlines a commonality shared by Beeper and the kids in the van, facing a tragic fate.
Their future was ended in the northern frontier
Expresses the idea that their futures were cut short in the northern frontier.
Dances with warriors, hatred between slaves
Reiterates the theme of conflict and violence among different groups.
They cut each other down and no one is safe
Describes the destructive consequences of internal strife within these groups.
Jeff Giles is cut down in his twenty second year
Introduces another character, Jeff Giles, who meets a tragic end at the age of twenty-two.
Trying to stop an I.P. robbery
Details the circumstances of Jeff Giles' death, attempting to stop an I.P. robbery.
In the northern frontier
Concludes with another reference to the northern frontier and the cycle of violence.
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