In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
In the states there's a problem with race
Because of ignorant past burned fires
From evolution we've been killing each other
I figure man should have it down to a science
No chance
Not for a minute
Not for a second
I won't be defensive
I'm straight out in my opinion
You'd better listen to a man who knows what he is saying
I've seen your side
You run and hide for the mere fact that you feel inferior
Be superior
And know your interior
Race, pride, prejudice
Black man, white man
No stand
Live in the past
We make it last
A hated mass
No solution
Mind pollution
For revolution
So low behold my eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
You blame oppression and play the role of criminals
To rape and burn show progress is minimal
White hoods and militants you know it's such a pity
Living, breathing
Violence in your city
If one man
Had one home
In one world
Held live alone without variety
Full of anxiety
No one to point at, question
Or even talk to in his private grave
No matter what color
He wouldn't be saved from hell
He dwells
A closed mind playing the part of prison cells
Race, pride, prejudice
Black man, white man
No stand
Live in the past
We make it last
A hated mass
No solution
Mind pollution
For revolution
So low behold my eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
So low behold your eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
Ooh
Because of ignorant past burned fires
From evolution we've been killing each other
I figure man should have it down to a science
No chance
Not for a minute
Not for a second
I won't be defensive
I'm straight out in my opinion
You'd better listen to a man who knows what he is saying
I've seen your side
You run and hide for the mere fact that you feel inferior
Be superior
And know your interior
Race, pride, prejudice
Black man, white man
No stand
Live in the past
We make it last
A hated mass
No solution
Mind pollution
For revolution
So low behold my eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
You blame oppression and play the role of criminals
To rape and burn show progress is minimal
White hoods and militants you know it's such a pity
Living, breathing
Violence in your city
If one man
Had one home
In one world
Held live alone without variety
Full of anxiety
No one to point at, question
Or even talk to in his private grave
No matter what color
He wouldn't be saved from hell
He dwells
A closed mind playing the part of prison cells
Race, pride, prejudice
Black man, white man
No stand
Live in the past
We make it last
A hated mass
No solution
Mind pollution
For revolution
So low behold my eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
So low behold your eyes
This land of fools will rise
No good
For no one
You're no good
For no one
Ooh
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The song is about a progressive view past race. Past racism along race lines. It's about humanity.
A nod to science of how we evolved to kill each other.
The lyrics indicate racism exists on both sides, black man or white.
"To rape and burn show progress is minimal" - Showing the angry race riots. When this was written right after blacks and hispanics rioted in D.C. in 1991. By blaming "oppression" and then becoming criminals.
"White hoods and militants you know it's such a pity" -- KKK and black power militants, and others on both sides are just pathetic and sad.
If they are close-minded and think about races. No matter what. Whether complaining about oppression or complaining about a race. They still are close minded and "no matter their color" should not be saved from that hell or prison cell. Just put them all in prison.
--- Attack the radical close-minded people because they're no good for anyone. ---
They think in terms of race, oppression, superiority, inferiority.