The song is about a loss of freedom for the American people. It refers to the idea that over time government has become more powerful and constraining, the opposite of what was intended during the founding of the nation. The actual line from the song is "The grand design ends in tyranny, the price of safety's paid when no one is free." The 'grand design' is the system of government originally set up, a small republic with independent states under one flag. They are saying that over time, notably during the 1930's, the federal government has gained much more power, specifically the executive branch, even though the legislative branch was intended to be the most powerful because it is closest to the people. It also notes that some people will gladly surrender personal freedoms for a feeling of security (recent 'gun control' legislation, for example), much like a scared child who wants someone to whisper "everything is alright."
"It's come down through the ages. This gift, down through the ages". This gift is the gift of liberty, of freedom. ATR warns us, "Don't let it fall away."
The song is about a loss of freedom for the American people. It refers to the idea that over time government has become more powerful and constraining, the opposite of what was intended during the founding of the nation. The actual line from the song is "The grand design ends in tyranny, the price of safety's paid when no one is free." The 'grand design' is the system of government originally set up, a small republic with independent states under one flag. They are saying that over time, notably during the 1930's, the federal government has gained much more power, specifically the executive branch, even though the legislative branch was intended to be the most powerful because it is closest to the people. It also notes that some people will gladly surrender personal freedoms for a feeling of security (recent 'gun control' legislation, for example), much like a scared child who wants someone to whisper "everything is alright."
"It's come down through the ages. This gift, down through the ages". This gift is the gift of liberty, of freedom. ATR warns us, "Don't let it fall away."