OKOK: this is my interpretation of the song's three paragraphs.
1st: the nation that the Protagonist of the song lives in, the USA, is an empire (and he dislikes this). Although it is an empire of wonders and amazing wealth, the Protagonist does not share its benefits (and he dislikes this).
2nd stanza: the Protagonist is filled with regrets for the state of the Empire, and perhaps the world, and this not a new sentiment. The Protagonist then discards his worldly posessions. He wishes that the Empire would be destroyed, as if by God, because this is what his country deserves. He believes that, because the Empire no longer gives any "fair deals", the (fair) destruction of his nation would be the last fair thing that would ever happen to it. He believes that the strength and influence of corporations have caused the Empire to decline ethically.
3rd: This is the actual "story". The first and second stanzas only describe what it is about, and how to interpret its meaning. The story is about a working-class American who became disenchanted with the state of the USA, and left society to follow his ideals.
This is my personal favorite song by Calexico. It is my interpretation that it is about a journey of the soul and a capitalistically-fueled environment.
This is my personal favorite song by Calexico. It is my interpretation that it is about a journey of the soul and a capitalistically-fueled environment.
Empire likely refers to the city in CA, which the Tuolumne River runs through. It's on the way to Quartz, AZ (assuming the protagonist left from LA, where the band members' roots are).
Empire likely refers to the city in CA, which the Tuolumne River runs through. It's on the way to Quartz, AZ (assuming the protagonist left from LA, where the band members' roots are).
I think the first 2 stanzas were real experiences the writer(s) had and the third is about a fellow traveler who shares a similar journey. In relation to the rest of the song- the latter contains a sense of a man disillusioned...
I think the first 2 stanzas were real experiences the writer(s) had and the third is about a fellow traveler who shares a similar journey. In relation to the rest of the song- the latter contains a sense of a man disillusioned from resentment of forces beyond our control. I find Mike very inspiring for his freedom of movement.
OKOK: this is my interpretation of the song's three paragraphs.
1st: the nation that the Protagonist of the song lives in, the USA, is an empire (and he dislikes this). Although it is an empire of wonders and amazing wealth, the Protagonist does not share its benefits (and he dislikes this).
2nd stanza: the Protagonist is filled with regrets for the state of the Empire, and perhaps the world, and this not a new sentiment. The Protagonist then discards his worldly posessions. He wishes that the Empire would be destroyed, as if by God, because this is what his country deserves. He believes that, because the Empire no longer gives any "fair deals", the (fair) destruction of his nation would be the last fair thing that would ever happen to it. He believes that the strength and influence of corporations have caused the Empire to decline ethically.
3rd: This is the actual "story". The first and second stanzas only describe what it is about, and how to interpret its meaning. The story is about a working-class American who became disenchanted with the state of the USA, and left society to follow his ideals.
This is my personal favorite song by Calexico. It is my interpretation that it is about a journey of the soul and a capitalistically-fueled environment.
This is my personal favorite song by Calexico. It is my interpretation that it is about a journey of the soul and a capitalistically-fueled environment.
Empire likely refers to the city in CA, which the Tuolumne River runs through. It's on the way to Quartz, AZ (assuming the protagonist left from LA, where the band members' roots are).
Empire likely refers to the city in CA, which the Tuolumne River runs through. It's on the way to Quartz, AZ (assuming the protagonist left from LA, where the band members' roots are).
I think the first 2 stanzas were real experiences the writer(s) had and the third is about a fellow traveler who shares a similar journey. In relation to the rest of the song- the latter contains a sense of a man disillusioned...
I think the first 2 stanzas were real experiences the writer(s) had and the third is about a fellow traveler who shares a similar journey. In relation to the rest of the song- the latter contains a sense of a man disillusioned from resentment of forces beyond our control. I find Mike very inspiring for his freedom of movement.