I think this song is about the American dream and how people from all around the world want to move to the USA to live a better, richer and fuller life. You might compare it to the poem Emma Lazarus wrote in 1883 and which can be seen on a plaque on the inner wall of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch,
whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning,
and her name Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome;
her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!"
cries she with silent lips.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
It refers to the United States being a nation of immigrants and promises a new and better life to the poor and persecuted. This of course is pure glorification of what is actually to be found in the USA.
So I think Rancid refer to this poem when they sing about “broken promises” and how the streets are supposedly “paved in gold”, whereas in real life they are “not paved at all”.
I think this song is about the American dream and how people from all around the world want to move to the USA to live a better, richer and fuller life. You might compare it to the poem Emma Lazarus wrote in 1883 and which can be seen on a plaque on the inner wall of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" It refers to the United States being a nation of immigrants and promises a new and better life to the poor and persecuted. This of course is pure glorification of what is actually to be found in the USA.
So I think Rancid refer to this poem when they sing about “broken promises” and how the streets are supposedly “paved in gold”, whereas in real life they are “not paved at all”.
Great song =)