| Eagles – Long Road Out of Eden Lyrics | 5 years ago |
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True to the prevalent imagery, the song is a parable about how the road to Empire is the broad path towards destruction rather than the narrow road towards salvation, and that broad path leads directly out of Eden. One extended metaphor is decisively comparing the American and Roman Empires, using Caesar as a warning. The Appian Way was a long road exclusively for the transportation of troops, signifying a bastion of both imperialism and military defense. Likewise, 'the road to Mandalay' is a reference to the poem Mandalay written by Rudyard Kipling, a staunch critic of British Imperialism, especially in India where he was born. The poem is about a sentimental British soldier in London longing for the feelings of freedom and love he experienced in Burma. The road to Damascus is a reference to a repentant Apostle Paul as he was miraculously confronted by Jesus Christ against his ongoing war on the Christians and his part in the imperialism against the Kingdom of God which, theologically, is meant to be a sort of return to Eden. But to return to the American/Roman parallel, there is a lot of meat to chew on in the lyrics. Part of the song, as is clear, is about the imperialism of Empire, but another part is the bread and circuses domesticated in Empire. The images drum up feelings of gluttony and greed and consumerism in citizens of Empire which are also reflected in the imperialism of Empire itself. Conquering nations becomes a little less trite than asking for more brisket or more pecan pie, indicative of limitless appetite for resources and the blood thirstiness of war, until one is bloated with entitlement. The hubris of Empire is declares itself to be an unsinkable ship, in a way. It is loaded on the propaganda of riding towards utopia. And any red flags and feelings of guilt concerning the 'ends justify the means' cost are dismissed as growing pain. But, as we know from Genesis, those who bite that apple no longer know wrong from right, and any of the knowledge they do gain is of no use to them because they are fools. Pride goeth before destruction, and the bigger the empire, the harder it falls. This was true for Rome, this will be true for America. And America isn't just falling in destruction. It is driving there. Dazed and drunk. Weaving down its own Appian highways, weaving through its own atrophy and cultural decadence in the twilight years of Empire before it dies in weeping and gnashing of teeth. Which is justice for anyone kicked out of Eden where they could have been ruled by God in peace and prosperity, but are now only eligible to be ruled by false gods in kingdoms of debt, darkness, destruction, and death, conquering other lost souls just to stay alive like the socialist cannibals they are. The whole theme is reflected in another Rudyard Kipling poem by the way: The Gods of the Copybook Headings https://abolishhumanarchism.com/2019/01/14/a-dirge-for-common-sense/ |
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| Josh Ritter – Another New World Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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It should also be expressed that it's his attachment to his world (the Annabelle) that ultimately saved his life. The lyrics talk about how the crew all had family that they waved goodbye to and this is paralleled in that they all left one by one to likely brave the weather and return home. The narrator has nothing to return home to and so stayed with his ship, using her to keep warm until he was rescued. He had nothing to lose back home and so he had no inspiration to foolishly brave the snow. It was the very principle of 'the captain going down with his ship' that ultimately saved him. |
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| Thea Gilmore – You Shall Know No Other God But Me Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I believe the third stanza to be: From the spoon and the flame To the *tied tourniquet* I am calling your name I am lighting the way All of these images are conducive to heroin use and drug addiction. |
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