This song has a strong sociological, and maybe even political, message.
Because our society tends to look at things with optimism, it usually overlooks reality. Sure, things don't seem all bad, but they're not exactly peachy ("It's not all dirty but it's not all clean"). To add to that, there's deception everywhere, in magazines, advertisements, even in authority figures.
The chorus has a sense of hopelessness to it. Sad, but it's what's portrayed in real life. "Mothers weep" probably refers to the drama parents go through, specifically those who live in meager conditions. Women whose husbands drink, beat them, or have outright left them. Those who barely have enough money to survive. Their "children sleep", too young and therefore oblivious to these emotional stressors that their parents experience day after day.
This song has a strong sociological, and maybe even political, message.
Because our society tends to look at things with optimism, it usually overlooks reality. Sure, things don't seem all bad, but they're not exactly peachy ("It's not all dirty but it's not all clean"). To add to that, there's deception everywhere, in magazines, advertisements, even in authority figures.
The chorus has a sense of hopelessness to it. Sad, but it's what's portrayed in real life. "Mothers weep" probably refers to the drama parents go through, specifically those who live in meager conditions. Women whose husbands drink, beat them, or have outright left them. Those who barely have enough money to survive. Their "children sleep", too young and therefore oblivious to these emotional stressors that their parents experience day after day.