I interpret this song as a protest against the gentrification of the old New York (or any city) neighbourhoods.
All the "Ancient Ways" are the old enclaves, street corners, grand old houses, ma and pa grocery stores etc....The developers say "F**k the ancient ways", and pave them over with soul-less new developments.
"Beneath us an empire grows" of apartment blocks and supermarkets, and all the traditional ways are "beaten by the weight of it".
I interpret this song as a protest against the gentrification of the old New York (or any city) neighbourhoods.
All the "Ancient Ways" are the old enclaves, street corners, grand old houses, ma and pa grocery stores etc....The developers say "F**k the ancient ways", and pave them over with soul-less new developments.
"Beneath us an empire grows" of apartment blocks and supermarkets, and all the traditional ways are "beaten by the weight of it".