The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Oh say can you fucking see
The missiles fall like rain
Bloody mountains majesty
Dead bodies on the plain
By the bombing's eerie light
See the crimsons waves of red
What so proudly they all fell
The twilight of the dead
[Chorus]
America the violent
The indifferent
God shit is grace on me
America the arrogant
The belligerent
Will live in infamy
We the people, for no people
Secure the blessings of tragedy
Do or don't we have established
The scar spangled banner
We pledge allegiance to no god
Only to the blood
Liberty is just a dream
When dying in the mud
This, the land of the deceived, home of the depraved
Bombs, they drop like falling leaves
And the deadly flag still waves
[Chorus]
Red the beautiful color of blood
Flowing like a stream
White the color of bleaching bone
Lovely and obscene
Blue the bruising color of flesh
Battered, ripped and torn
The colors of the flag of hate
Of violence and porn
What you see is what you get
You haven't see the bloody trail yet
I'm no patriot, just a hate-triot
Blood sport, my sure bet
See the flag, get a body bag
Salvation form a .44 mag.
Nothing left, no one saved
'Cause our goddamn motherfucking bloody ass
Banner still waves
The missiles fall like rain
Bloody mountains majesty
Dead bodies on the plain
By the bombing's eerie light
See the crimsons waves of red
What so proudly they all fell
The twilight of the dead
[Chorus]
America the violent
The indifferent
God shit is grace on me
America the arrogant
The belligerent
Will live in infamy
We the people, for no people
Secure the blessings of tragedy
Do or don't we have established
The scar spangled banner
We pledge allegiance to no god
Only to the blood
Liberty is just a dream
When dying in the mud
This, the land of the deceived, home of the depraved
Bombs, they drop like falling leaves
And the deadly flag still waves
[Chorus]
Red the beautiful color of blood
Flowing like a stream
White the color of bleaching bone
Lovely and obscene
Blue the bruising color of flesh
Battered, ripped and torn
The colors of the flag of hate
Of violence and porn
What you see is what you get
You haven't see the bloody trail yet
I'm no patriot, just a hate-triot
Blood sport, my sure bet
See the flag, get a body bag
Salvation form a .44 mag.
Nothing left, no one saved
'Cause our goddamn motherfucking bloody ass
Banner still waves
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Man o man, The Tempo of the Damned is a kick-ass Exodus cd. Every song on that cd rules completely. The Scar Spangled Banner song in my opinion, describes how the U.S fuckin A handles things during war. No reason to be destructive to others, an anti-war song pretty much. Rock on!!!
i love their new cd every song is pretty great this song is great too
^I'm no patriot, just a hate-triot i like that part its funny
Oh say can you fucking see. I love that. An anthem against America - we cant all be PATRIOTS, you know. America is idealized in the song but in a way opposing the tendencies of our culture. It says alot to the militant patriots who demand loyalty. However, loyalty is EARNED. and the song says it well.
lol, exodus does have pretty dumb lyrics 99% of the time. Always mindless lyrics about war and violence.
This song is basically a big middle finger to the U.S. I love it!
i agree that the new album is great, but is it me or does exodus write some of those most ridiculously fucking stupidest lyrics?
'I'm no patriot, just a hate-triot '
i mean, what the fuck is that?
the new album is some great thrashing though.