Burn Down the Mission Lyrics
I think this song is more of a story than any allegorical concept or reflection of modern life.
In many areas around the world, the "mission" was a place of residence owned by the Roman Catholic church, where priests could engage in the conversion of heathens to christianity. Many times these missions were protected by soldiers or free men who served a higher power, such as a royal family or the papacy.
Many times these missions were not welcome, especially when poor, starving people would look and see missionaries and priests eating well, and living under good shelter. This was especially true when the hypocrisy became apparent between what the church preached and what it actually did.
I think the song simply reflects an uprising by the people who the missionaries are trying to convert. They are freezing and starving and have had enough. They burn down the mission for warmth and shelter.
At the end.. the high powers come to seek justice and drag the man, who we must assume is the ringleader, away.
@Ovichsan I agree with your interpretation. I always believed it was about the California missions, in particular. The line "Look to the east to see where the fat stock hide" being one reason. The Camino Real was often following close to the coastline, so the cattle grazed in the valley to the east. The native-americans had to tend to the cattle as they themselves were starving due to the horrid treatment.
@Ovichsan I agree with your interpretation. I always believed it was about the California missions, in particular. The line "Look to the east to see where the fat stock hide" being one reason. The Camino Real was often following close to the coastline, so the cattle grazed in the valley to the east. The native-americans had to tend to the cattle as they themselves were starving due to the horrid treatment.
I would best describe these lyrics as brilliant instead of "weridass", dummy. Berny Taupin is a fucking genius especially with all the great Elton John hit songs he wrote!
BERNIE! Regardless, I agree. :]
BERNIE! Regardless, I agree. :]
As much as I love this song, I am not sure of its meaning. Literally, it could be a man and his wife living in a mission with other families and they decide to burn it down. On a deeper level, it could symbolize a man so frustrated with being in poverty while there are rich men controlling him, that he revolts. This sounds kind of Marxist. The true meaning? I have yet to figure it out. But still a great song.
same its some weridass lyrics "Deep in the woods the squirrels are out today"
berny taupin has written some most amazing lyrics, and Elton was just the one to sing them. i think it is just that doing whatever it takes to surviv. even the squirrels have a better life, then he.
slickrickonu pretty much got it...
song has shades of mona lisa and mad hatters in it
I think the above explanation is as good as any. At the time this song came out there were all kind of anti-Vietnam and anti-Nixon meanings attributed to the song. I think that the story is just a story and is vague enough to create many allegorical connotations to the lyrics. It is also a great dramatic rock and roll arena song.
i think that there is/are a metaphor here that can transcend time and places. Anywhere really. I think the metaphor relates to "judgment" and how it is a natural human phenoma in every culture, country, city or village. The cocktail of judgement is expounded when most orthodox religions exist. Especiallin in the centuries previous to this one.
i think that there is/are a metaphor here that can transcend time and places. Anywhere really. I think the metaphor relates to "judgment" and how it is a natural human phenoma in every culture, country, city or village. The cocktail of judgement is expounded when most orthodox religions exist. Especiallin in the centuries previous to this one.
I think that Elton refers to the men of power, the Joneses as well as church parishoners (like neighbors) as all being able to be too judgemental. Ironically, it is when people get to fanatical about what they fear and...
I think that Elton refers to the men of power, the Joneses as well as church parishoners (like neighbors) as all being able to be too judgemental. Ironically, it is when people get to fanatical about what they fear and hate that they become one in the same with these fears. Alot of which, we see throughout history.
Perhaps its this figurative or perhaps literal translation that Elton is implying that we move back into our hearts and not so much in our heads. Something to ponder. Or not. : )
This is about a man during the times of the American Revolutionary war per Bernie Taupin. It's England that is referred to in 'look to the East to see where the fat stock hide' & George III is the one 'behind four walls of stone the rich man sleeps.'
Don't know, but the Spanish Civil War and the French Revolution both saw socialist-inspired church burnings on a massive scale.
Remember the title of the album this was on - Tumbleweed Connection. There are a number of songs about the "Wild West" on hte album. I suspect this has to do with the various conflicts that took place during the settling of the American West, when meny actual missions were in tact burned.