To Be Treated Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Driftwood Girl 

Cover art for To Be Treated lyrics by Terry Reid

This song is absolutely gorgeous! So sad, poignant, beautiful. It played on “The Devil’s Rejects”, on the scene where they were hurt and captured – the meaning fit perfectly.

“Oh, we are what we are when in danger”

We are reduced to our human condition when we’re in danger. No masks, no poses, no power – just our primitive selves.

“And we are as we stand head in hands”

When danger comes, you briefly support your head on your hands, thinking ‘Oh, sh*t.’

“When a friend brings to light on a cold silver knife You can stare your fate right into his hands”

A friend is the one betraying you and bringing you danger, threatening you with a knife, and your fate depends on him.

“Things just stay the same as they've always been Some of us are out to win / And some of us are out just to aim”

Being in this situation is almost expected... He/they always aimed for one thing, but always wound up losing. Things never went his/their way.

“Oh we are what we are when we're praying In our way of seeking some light”

Praying to find an escape, a solution for his/their life-and-death situation.

”May the mission bells still ring of the colorful dream In the faith that everyone will be treated right”

Expecting to be treated right by his/their enemy, he knows, is just a colorful dream. It’s “a hopeless fight”. It’s over. But maybe if metaphorical bells ring and a miracle happens...