The Hands That Thieve

Although religion might be a valid interpretation for this, I believe it is referring to Streetlight Manifesto's continued struggle with Victory Records. The first little chunk is talking about how their record company is telling them they are doing wrong, along with frustration at the fact that Victory is telling them they're wrong. It goes on to talk about past regrets, maybe talking about the remorse of ever signing with Victory's record label. The chorus then talks about how it is okay if they lose, because past groups signed to Victory have lost the battle as well, then maybe talking about how Victory's money buys them the right to do what they are doing due to corrupt authority figures, then finishing by saying that they, in Laymen's terms, won't take their shit and they promise that they will lash out. The second verse talked about how Streetlight was on the decline due to Victory but that their injuries, metaphorically speaking, was just a reminder of disputes won and lost with Victory. The last part of the second verse goes on to say that they will fight until Streetlight completely falls apart, or they come to an agreement with Victory, but even then, he will be weary and careful that they do him no more wrong and finally that things can always rise above. The bridge, from what I understand, talks about how everyone knew that Victory were doing wrong, but it is out of their control, they may just slowly fall apart. Now the last part really confuses me. My best guess is that it is just a thrown in part about someone who gave hope to Tomas or maybe even the whole band and they should never look back. Anyway, this may be right or completely off base, but either way it is a great song, a great album, and as always, fuck Victory Records.

Clearly, as stated above, about their battle with Victory Records.

First stanza is about being accused of breach of contract by Victory. Second is about Streetlight possibly believing they were wrong then the whole "hindsight is 20/20" (to paraphrase). The chorus is about their heroes supporting Streetlight (other bands, fans, etc...) and rebelling. The second verse is about the ongoing fight, the damage it did, memories of fights past, and learning to never trust anyone again. The final lyrics are about no one realizing the problem until too late, gearing up for the legal battle, and a toast of sorts to their time as a band and all their progress.

Even though the record finally came out, it was a Pyrrhic victory that killed the band.

I think the song is generally about war, also why the ending makes it so powerful.

"I felt no guilt until I was caught and I was told that I was guilty" the entire first verse is the realization that as a soldier, no matter the virtue you have, killing the "enemy" in battle, you're still taking a life and are guilty of that

When he see's behind the curtain he's realizing he's fighting and killing for people who are soulless and vapid, they have nothing. Soldiers are off to kill for people who would not care if they died, thats why theres "Nothing much to see" behind the curtain.

"We will bite the hand that thieves, We will not turn the other cheek" Its referenced to the above, its about when they realize all the evil caused was for these soulless power hungry assholes.

The end of the song is one of the most powerful to me, " When It was time to fight, we chose a side, but everyone knew that something didnt feel right, so we stood our ground, and waited for a sign". Very reminiscent to me of the ideas exposed in "all quiet on the western front", the realization that you're going to murder someone for reasons you could never explain. When you're killing another man in war over the most trivial reasons. Theres points when fighters on both sides look across and wonder why theyre there. In another life they'd be friend, hanging out, yet instead you're there to take his life and visa versa.

TLDR: IMO, the song is about war and the human nature aspect of it at the personal level.

I'd like to think he's talking again about breaking away from established religions/bodies of belief, Christianity in particular.

The first bit about not feeling guilty until being told he was probably pertains to the notion that you typically aren't viewed as a sinner unless you know about god, Jesus, and the notion of sinning. Same goes for the telling a lie portion, which I read as saying that he claimed to believe for a time, and before he knew it, he'd given up everything that made him who he was.

the next major part, the one about fighting till he's died, is just discussing the problems people often encounter when they break away but are confronted by the views of the overwhelming majority, but they refuse to give up their own beliefs for those of the majority they initially broke from.

Finally, I think the refrain refers to historical figures who were deists at the very least, if not atheists. The line "I don't care if I loose because my heroes did too" may very well point to many historical figures who did in ways express their counter views but ultimately had them painted over by the belief of the majority of the time. the judge is probably supposed to be god, who if you look at the bible is anything but benevolent, thereby suggesting that even the almighty can't figure out what's ethically right or wrong.