Literally, the song seems to be the struggle of one living during the Great Depression. The young man is one whose family lived on the farm for generations before the Great Depression started. After the stock market crash and the formation of the Dust Bowl, the towns people and soon the young man are all forced to leave whether it be to seek better farming conditions or the banks have foreclosed on the properties due to debt. It seems likely that the man was evicted by the bank and then sets out for revenge, possibly robbing banks and the other activities similar to real life criminals of the time like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde. In the end he is caught but is not remorseful for his actions since he feels that they were righteous since he was fighting a corrupt and greedy entity. The line "You haven't met me, I am the only son" could be a reference to the fact that he was the last of his family, or to that of Christ in which case it would be him comparing himself to Christ due to the strong since of moral duty he carried out his crimes with.
I can see the link, however, as its a British band, maybe not so much the Great Depression, but something similar that has happened in Britain, maybe the collapsing of their mining industry. But do you see what I mean, I think you have the general story right, just not the location.
I can see the link, however, as its a British band, maybe not so much the Great Depression, but something similar that has happened in Britain, maybe the collapsing of their mining industry. But do you see what I mean, I think you have the general story right, just not the location.
I too agree that the concept is probably correct, but the location is off. Most likely he would be singing about is home, and the history he has grown up with. The UK or Britain specifically has gone through alot of heartache in its very long history.
I too agree that the concept is probably correct, but the location is off. Most likely he would be singing about is home, and the history he has grown up with. The UK or Britain specifically has gone through alot of heartache in its very long history.
However, the hard times of the 1930's up to WWII, that countries like the US and Canada went through is an accurate way to interpret this song. I doubt Mumford was trying to exclude anyone geographically. He was just singing about the tragic history of this man, and the choices that he made,...
However, the hard times of the 1930's up to WWII, that countries like the US and Canada went through is an accurate way to interpret this song. I doubt Mumford was trying to exclude anyone geographically. He was just singing about the tragic history of this man, and the choices that he made, and the decisions that were inflicted upon him by others.
I am an Okie and this song and The Grapes of Wrath are my legacy. My family were share croppers during the depression and decided to literally weather the storm. Marcus attributes The Grapes of Wrath as his influence for this song. I agree there is some christ imagery but people are over looking some of the main topics. This song is a social critique of capitalism and opportunism. It forces the question, How can you profit off of other peoples misery and disgrace? i.e. capitalistic exploitation. The other issue not discussed is if it is right to stand...
I am an Okie and this song and The Grapes of Wrath are my legacy. My family were share croppers during the depression and decided to literally weather the storm. Marcus attributes The Grapes of Wrath as his influence for this song. I agree there is some christ imagery but people are over looking some of the main topics. This song is a social critique of capitalism and opportunism. It forces the question, How can you profit off of other peoples misery and disgrace? i.e. capitalistic exploitation. The other issue not discussed is if it is right to stand up and protect yourself against such exploitation? The only son kills a man who is trying to take his family's livelihood. He owns up to his actions but is that morally wrong in this instance or was he morally bound to protect his family's honor, possessions, and means of survival? Who is the villain? The Repo man sent to steal his family's land (which will ultimately make them homeless and starve) or the son who kills the repo man to defend his land? This argument is the base of many arguments in philosophy about the moral relationship of a son and his family. This argument (not directly) is the base of Aristotle's argument against Euthyphro in Plato's The Last Days of Sophocles. Does he have a moral obligation between the law or his family?
Literally, the song seems to be the struggle of one living during the Great Depression. The young man is one whose family lived on the farm for generations before the Great Depression started. After the stock market crash and the formation of the Dust Bowl, the towns people and soon the young man are all forced to leave whether it be to seek better farming conditions or the banks have foreclosed on the properties due to debt. It seems likely that the man was evicted by the bank and then sets out for revenge, possibly robbing banks and the other activities similar to real life criminals of the time like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde. In the end he is caught but is not remorseful for his actions since he feels that they were righteous since he was fighting a corrupt and greedy entity. The line "You haven't met me, I am the only son" could be a reference to the fact that he was the last of his family, or to that of Christ in which case it would be him comparing himself to Christ due to the strong since of moral duty he carried out his crimes with.
I can see the link, however, as its a British band, maybe not so much the Great Depression, but something similar that has happened in Britain, maybe the collapsing of their mining industry. But do you see what I mean, I think you have the general story right, just not the location.
I can see the link, however, as its a British band, maybe not so much the Great Depression, but something similar that has happened in Britain, maybe the collapsing of their mining industry. But do you see what I mean, I think you have the general story right, just not the location.
I too agree that the concept is probably correct, but the location is off. Most likely he would be singing about is home, and the history he has grown up with. The UK or Britain specifically has gone through alot of heartache in its very long history.
I too agree that the concept is probably correct, but the location is off. Most likely he would be singing about is home, and the history he has grown up with. The UK or Britain specifically has gone through alot of heartache in its very long history.
However, the hard times of the 1930's up to WWII, that countries like the US and Canada went through is an accurate way to interpret this song. I doubt Mumford was trying to exclude anyone geographically. He was just singing about the tragic history of this man, and the choices that he made,...
However, the hard times of the 1930's up to WWII, that countries like the US and Canada went through is an accurate way to interpret this song. I doubt Mumford was trying to exclude anyone geographically. He was just singing about the tragic history of this man, and the choices that he made, and the decisions that were inflicted upon him by others.
I am an Okie and this song and The Grapes of Wrath are my legacy. My family were share croppers during the depression and decided to literally weather the storm. Marcus attributes The Grapes of Wrath as his influence for this song. I agree there is some christ imagery but people are over looking some of the main topics. This song is a social critique of capitalism and opportunism. It forces the question, How can you profit off of other peoples misery and disgrace? i.e. capitalistic exploitation. The other issue not discussed is if it is right to stand...
I am an Okie and this song and The Grapes of Wrath are my legacy. My family were share croppers during the depression and decided to literally weather the storm. Marcus attributes The Grapes of Wrath as his influence for this song. I agree there is some christ imagery but people are over looking some of the main topics. This song is a social critique of capitalism and opportunism. It forces the question, How can you profit off of other peoples misery and disgrace? i.e. capitalistic exploitation. The other issue not discussed is if it is right to stand up and protect yourself against such exploitation? The only son kills a man who is trying to take his family's livelihood. He owns up to his actions but is that morally wrong in this instance or was he morally bound to protect his family's honor, possessions, and means of survival? Who is the villain? The Repo man sent to steal his family's land (which will ultimately make them homeless and starve) or the son who kills the repo man to defend his land? This argument is the base of many arguments in philosophy about the moral relationship of a son and his family. This argument (not directly) is the base of Aristotle's argument against Euthyphro in Plato's The Last Days of Sophocles. Does he have a moral obligation between the law or his family?