This song reminds me of Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen and some of the Vietnam era protest songs. The casual listener thinks it is a patriotic song but if you listen closely, it is a condemnation of conservative US culture and politics -- especially NRA politics in the midst of mass shootings.
The opening lyrics are tell a story of dysfunction and destruction coupled with the uncaring attitude of the people who are more concerned with their gun rights than people dying on the streets. "Blood on a street, it's another new day, Lost count of how many died, at least I'm doing it my way."
The line "You're the liberated, you are the free" seems like a nod to the USA being a free country, but Sam spins that freedom into something a little more sinister -- "Free to cry and die disenfranchised, blessed as a country." We exercise these freedoms in a way (in particular, gun violence) that causes pain and suffering for many. It is something to be mourned, not celebrated.
In this case, the "American dream" is a dream for some and a nightmare for others.
The song then pivots to specifically call out the conservative political machine. "Hand on a Bible, Foot on your neck, Living half-past half-mast, and semi-automatic." The Bible-thumping conservatives willingly and uncaringly oppress with their politics. The half-mast is a reference to mass shootings causing flags to be hung half mast which these folks are casually and uncaringly "living past" (ignoring) with their semi-automatic rifles in tow.
The line "Help isn't coming, start praying for you, It ain't much but it's the least I can do" is mocking the ever-present "thoughts and prayers" after the shootings. These folks will pray for you but not lift a finger to fix the problem.
This song reminds me of Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen and some of the Vietnam era protest songs. The casual listener thinks it is a patriotic song but if you listen closely, it is a condemnation of conservative US culture and politics -- especially NRA politics in the midst of mass shootings.
The opening lyrics are tell a story of dysfunction and destruction coupled with the uncaring attitude of the people who are more concerned with their gun rights than people dying on the streets. "Blood on a street, it's another new day, Lost count of how many died, at least I'm doing it my way."
The line "You're the liberated, you are the free" seems like a nod to the USA being a free country, but Sam spins that freedom into something a little more sinister -- "Free to cry and die disenfranchised, blessed as a country." We exercise these freedoms in a way (in particular, gun violence) that causes pain and suffering for many. It is something to be mourned, not celebrated.
In this case, the "American dream" is a dream for some and a nightmare for others.
The song then pivots to specifically call out the conservative political machine. "Hand on a Bible, Foot on your neck, Living half-past half-mast, and semi-automatic." The Bible-thumping conservatives willingly and uncaringly oppress with their politics. The half-mast is a reference to mass shootings causing flags to be hung half mast which these folks are casually and uncaringly "living past" (ignoring) with their semi-automatic rifles in tow.
The line "Help isn't coming, start praying for you, It ain't much but it's the least I can do" is mocking the ever-present "thoughts and prayers" after the shootings. These folks will pray for you but not lift a finger to fix the problem.
@Dexios Great analysis thank you!
@Dexios Great analysis thank you!