I think it has to do with immigration of some sort. The last line really outlines the whole song. "Red tape" is a term for excessive work that basically stalls anything from being done in a federal bureaucracy. Razor wire can be interpreted as the fences of a prison. The song speaks of people seeking of a second chance at life from a life once filled with anguish. However, they get imprisoned because immigration, and there is basically no way out because red tape will not help. Look up the McCarran act during the 50's and it might make a little more sense. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, idk.
I think it has to do with immigration of some sort. The last line really outlines the whole song. "Red tape" is a term for excessive work that basically stalls anything from being done in a federal bureaucracy. Razor wire can be interpreted as the fences of a prison. The song speaks of people seeking of a second chance at life from a life once filled with anguish. However, they get imprisoned because immigration, and there is basically no way out because red tape will not help. Look up the McCarran act during the 50's and it might make a little more sense. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, idk.