| Coven – One Tin Soldier (Original Caste cover) Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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And after thinking about it for a while, I suppose the 'one tin soldier' could also be just a regular person that endures. Regular as 'tin' is a common, inexpensive, light yet strong, metal. But, as the 'tin' also implies, not impenetrable, not warm like gold, or soft like silver. Not heavy and hard like steel, but flexible and shape-able, pierce-able, cut-able. That is the one thing I have never been able to figure out. Should we feel empathy for the 'tin soldier'? Should he be admired and lauded? Should he be a hero? Or should we feel contempt for him? |
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| Coven – One Tin Soldier (Original Caste cover) Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I agree with Itienke. I was hoping to find a great discussion happening here, and am sad there is not. I have listened to this song for a long time, hearing it first in the "Billy Jack" movie when I was pre-teen. Over the years I have thought a lot about its meaning, to me, and to the world in general. This song is one of the few to have the power to make me cry, still, after all these years. The 'tin soldier' mentioned in the song has always been a symbol of the soul-less human to me. Let me explain. He is shiny and polished, hollow and empty. Cheaply made, as tin is not a precious metal. Willing to be moved in any direction by whatever hand moves it, as a chess piece is dependent on this for movement. This representation of tin soldier/soul-less human gets connected by the ability of those few who are able to act without conscience or fear of retribution. That, to me is the 'tin soldier'. The person who is empty inside, and cheaply made. |
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| Peter Gabriel – San Jacinto Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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There are aspects of the imagery that have distinct meaning... Steam-spirit/ancestor energy Fire-heart of the mother sweat lodge-womb of the mother Buffalo-ultimate sacrifice Sage-sacred plant Bundle-medicine bundle Red-creation/passion Eagle-sacred messenger Coyote-trickster yellow-wisdom Keeping these symbols in mind, the meaning of the song grows. I don't know if PG was aware of the symbolism he used, but there it is. No matter what is done to us as a culture, we will always be here. This is our home. We love this land. |
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