It's possible that this could be inspired by a book or a true event, but to me, it's simply an epic ballad that has one purpose: to tell a story.
It's a story of one man taking a stand against tyranny and oppression.
"Well you are my accuser, now look in my face
Your oppression reeks of your greed and disgrace
So one man has and another has not
How can you love what it is you have got
When you took it all from the weak hands of the poor?
Liars and thieves you know not what is in store"
Having made his accusations, he threatens to go out and get his gun. In my opinion, the final words of the song indicate that he carried out what he saw as justice against the person or group that he accused.
"Well yes sir, yes sir, yes it was me
I know what I've done, cause I know what I've seen
I went out back and I got my gun
I said, 'You haven't met me, I am the only son'"
He'd threatened to take action against them, and he didn't back down when the time came. "I know what I've done, cause I know what I've seen." He had seen the corruption and the injustice, and chose to deal out the righteous judgment that no one else was willing to give, and he's ready to take the consequences for it.
It's possible that this could be inspired by a book or a true event, but to me, it's simply an epic ballad that has one purpose: to tell a story.
It's a story of one man taking a stand against tyranny and oppression.
"Well you are my accuser, now look in my face Your oppression reeks of your greed and disgrace So one man has and another has not How can you love what it is you have got When you took it all from the weak hands of the poor? Liars and thieves you know not what is in store"
Having made his accusations, he threatens to go out and get his gun. In my opinion, the final words of the song indicate that he carried out what he saw as justice against the person or group that he accused.
"Well yes sir, yes sir, yes it was me I know what I've done, cause I know what I've seen I went out back and I got my gun I said, 'You haven't met me, I am the only son'"
He'd threatened to take action against them, and he didn't back down when the time came. "I know what I've done, cause I know what I've seen." He had seen the corruption and the injustice, and chose to deal out the righteous judgment that no one else was willing to give, and he's ready to take the consequences for it.