Awake at the bottom
Of the barrels we cry out
So ashamed of our tears that
We blame only ourselves
That's when they win
They keep us convinced
To lift up our chins
These playing fields are level
We all have a chance
With that they dismiss
The fast lanes they row
What it takes, it depends on who you know
Or where you came from
Whose daughter are you?
Whose fortunate son?
Will it so
To stick up our bones
And piece from the letters
How we settled the crimes

Is this an over-reaching arm
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved
Or a just reparation?
(a just reparation)

Away from the towers
High above the ceiling tombs
Tell themselves
That they've earned this
Like working hard
Or playing by the rules
But this is only part true
A dangerous trick
Played on me and you
And so like a practical joke
We put on these bootstraps
So high that they broke

Is this an over-reaching arm
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved
Or a just reparation?

And like a single domino
That falls while the rest stay vertical
Will you fear these empty fairytales
Or will you believe them?

And if fear's a game
You better pray
That this sleeping giant never wakes

If we just take a step back
A bigger picture we might view
Perhaps the man in the gutter
Is not so different from you

Come in, all of the cold
Forget all that you know
Because there's always been room
By the fire for you, oh
Come in, all of the cold

Will you believe them?
Is this an over-reaching arm
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved
Or a just reparation?
And like a single domino
That falls while the rest stay vertical
Will you fear these empty fairytales
Or will you believe them?


Lyrics submitted by WillCreary, edited by curtisngl, gonza10000, togardenofeden

Disparity by Design Lyrics as written by Joseph Principe Brandon Barnes

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Disparity By Design song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    The chorus of any song will tell you what a song is about. Everything else is a supporting statement. With that thought, I believe this song is about social programs. This song is entirely political.

    Aside from the chorus, here are other social program references:

    If we just took a step back A bigger picture we might see Perhaps the man in the gutter Is not so different from you

    Come in out of the cold Forget all that you know Because there's always been room By the fire for you Come in out of the cold


    Next, we have this:

    All the way from the towers High above the glass ceilinged tombs Tell themselves that they've earned this By working hard and playing by the rules But this is only part true A dangerous trick played on me and you And so, like a practical joke We pulled on these bootstraps So hard that they broke

    Will you believe them? Is this an over-reaching arm? Or is this compassion? Is this a handout undeserved? Or a just reparation?

    They're talking about how Republican politicians like to talk about how we're all the same- hard working Americans (they include themselves in this) - and how we don't want those tax hikes (that are meant to support social programs) b/c they worked hard for their money. Why should anyone else get what they "worked hard for?" Meanwhile, they leave out the fact that under the proposed tax hikes, only the upper tier see the biggest tax increase(themselves); while the people who could actually benefit from these social programs are duped into believing the Republican lies and vote against something that could actually help them. The wealthy don't have to pay their fair share, and so, the wealthy stay wealthy, and the poor stay poor. THIS is how the little guy is kept down. That's what this song is about.

    I think it would be entirely hypocritical for the band to say that you have to be wealthy to make wealth. Were they wealthy before they became big? How much money have they made? Do you see where I'm going? I think Rise Against is much deeper than that. You need to understand WHY, instead of making blanket statements. This song is very nicely done & delivers are powerful message.

    Also, I don't think he's talking about himself when he says he's through believing. Maybe going into character of someone who woke up from the lies. Great closing line for a character in the music video.

    katymcdonaldon July 26, 2011   Link

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