Lyric discussion by arrstar 

Cover art for Black Dollar Bills lyrics by Hope of the States

This is one of the most astonishing pieces of music I've heard in quite some time. I think it's about failed politics. I don't know what Hope of the States were. The ambiguity of their political stance--be it liberal, conservative, anarchic, communist, fascist, whatever--adds to the darkness; it may be a commentary on Bush or Blair, or it could just be a hypothetical story.

Either way, the first verse recalls "You and Whose Army" by Radiohead; it sounds defeated but the message is extremely tough guy-ish: You're a ruler but you're not my ruler.

The last verse is actually kind of optimistic. Hope and dreams are failing but there is a new hope on the horizon ... very prophetic with regard to the United States.