Manifest Destiny/Sorority Tears

this song reminds me of "Brand New Colony" by the Postal Service

"Manifest destiny" isn't just the historical term for westward expansion. It's the term that the politicians of the time used to justify taking over the Native American and Spanish lands. They believed (or publicly stated, anyway) that it was God's will for the United States to expand from Atlantic to Pacific.

I like the point ejb3939 made about the symbol of Islam. I'll try to decipher the metaphor. The sun is the United States. The sun is the most powerful object in our solar system, and the United States is the most powerful nation right now. The sun (aka the US) abuses its power and bullies the moon and stars (Middle East countries), who are now rebelling. I could be wrong, but hey, I tried.

The last part is obviously about bombs dropping, buildings falling, etc.

i always thought it was 'but the LEADERS have the lead." i thought it was a political statment that people with large dreams and hopes are not the ones leading us, instead its a bunch of old men who know how to lead, but not where.

I'm pretty sure some of these lines are wrong, so please correct any errors.

"bonds are broken" = bones are broken

"Build a town in mensanine" = bulid a town and then secede

"To the dreamers call them dreams But the need is heavily" = To the dreamers go the dreams, But Believers have the lead

"The new stars are ganging up on the sun Repent" = The moon and the stars are ganging up on the sun. Rebelion

"everybody starts goin' down" = the sky is falling down

I am quite excited for the new album. As for the meaning of this song, I feel like it has something to do with the downfall of modern American society.

You missed one "down"

i feel like its about marriage.. "land of oppurtunity".. only thing else i think of is America being the land of oppurtunity, but.. i think we can all rule that one out.

I am almost 100% sure this is about America. Not only because of the line land of opportunity but the definition itself of manifest destiny, which is a policy of imperialistic expansion defended as necessary or benevolent...AND in the 19th century it was the belief that the United States had the right and duty to expand throughout the North American continent.

rebellion is spelled incorrectly...this song is about starting anew, and guster uses manifest destiny from the 19th century as a way to show it

incase anyone wasn't aware, "manifest destiny" is kind of like the standard historical term for 1840's territorial expansion into the american west. it's like the way the people felt that americans had an obligation to expand west i think.