Smaller And Smaller Lyrics

Lyric discussion by sukkamc 

Cover art for Smaller And Smaller lyrics by Faith No More

I've always associated this song with the Manifest Destiny - the westward movement of the White man, and specifically the building of the American railway in the 1860's. The riff and keyboards at the beginning of the song sound like a steam locomotive gaining momentum.

The lyrics also correlate to the building of the railway - "drought makes the workers deam, muscles and fields of green" - it's easier to knock soil loose to lay the rail and ties with dry land, but they hope for the rains to come so that they can cool off and take a break. I think the 2nd verse is talking about things from the Native American's point of view, as they were constantly being 'squashed' into smaller and smaller confines as the railroad expanded.

@sukkamc good interpretation ... not sure if I agree the song has any specific relevance to an event, or if it is simply skirting a general theme??