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Devil Running
The John Butler Trio Lyrics


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A sun does rise from distant lands
Tears run and fires burning
He finds first place with dirty hands
He graduates man without learning
Agenda set
So long ago
This son's a puppet with a master
The hands stand still right by his side
Middle finger on the button of disaster

And most of us we stand and watch
Like old lady getting handbag stolen
It's time to chase, chase them criminals
I see the devil and the devil is running

Bad buisness ties turn out sour
Backstabbed man nothing forgotten
And in an unforgotten hour
Seeds fall from an apple rotten
Now hate and fear have thier own way
And don't the scum just love the distraction
Black blood will need to be lanced
And when it's found you just blame
The guilty faction

And now it's time not just to watch
Like old lady getting handbag stolen
It's time to chase, chase them criminals
I see the devil and the devil is running

And now it's time not just to watch
Like old lady getting handbag stolen
It's time to chase, chase them criminals
I see the devil and the devil is running

And now it's time not just to watch
Like old lady getting handbag stolen
It's time to chase, chase them criminals
I see the devil and the devil is running

Overall Meaning

The John Butler Trio’s “Devil Running” is a slightly political song with a strong message. The lyrics suggest that the world we are living in has some dirty hands manipulating it. The song opens with a sun rising from distant lands, against a backdrop of destruction with tears running and fires burning. This sun that rises is a symbol of hope, but at the same time highlights the destruction that has already occurred. The song suggests the world cannot be changed unless we pursue the ones responsible for this devastation.


As the song continues, it becomes clear that the sun personifies a hero that has been led astray. He has graduated into a puppet whose strings are being pulled by a master. The master, whose “agenda was set so long ago,” has stood still like a dormant weapon with his finger poised on the button of disaster. The singer is frustrated and needs to take action because he feels like most people just stand and watch, regardless of how they feel. However, demonic forces are at work, making it difficult to determine who the true enemy is.


In the chorus, the singer creates a battlecry: “It’s time to chase, chase them criminals. I see the devil, and the devil is running.” This line is a call to arms, asking listeners to take action and pursue the forces that they know exist behind the scenes. In conclusion, the song is a warning that the world is being manipulated and controlled by a nefarious group of people; we need to be aware of the situation and take action.


Line by Line Meaning

A sun does rise from distant lands
A new day begins, with distant lands providing the sunrise


Tears run and fires burning
Amidst all of the chaos and destruction around us, emotions run high


He finds first place with dirty hands
Despite a lack of morals, unethical behavior is rewarded by society


He graduates man without learning
Education systems fail to instill true knowledge and wisdom


Agenda set
The course of action has already been decided upon


So long ago
It was decided long before the current moment in time


This son's a puppet with a master
Individuals are controlled by those in power, and are therefore puppets to their masters


The hands stand still right by his side
The people in power are not taking action to solve the issues facing society


Middle finger on the button of disaster
Leaders are poised to push society towards destruction


And most of us we stand and watch
The majority of people are passive observers of the unfolding chaos


Like old lady getting handbag stolen
People are just standing idle, like an old lady getting robbed


It's time to chase, chase them criminals
It's time to take action against those causing harm to society


I see the devil and the devil is running
The evil forces in power are being forced to flee from their misdeeds


Bad business ties turn out sour
Unethical business practices lead to their own downfall


Backstabbed man nothing forgotten
Despite the passage of time, people still remember those who have betrayed them


And in an unforgotten hour
During a time that can never be forgotten


Seeds fall from an apple rotten
Some negative consequences are inevitable when corruption is present


Now hate and fear have their own way
These negative emotions are taking over and controlling society


And don't the scum just love the distraction
Those responsible for societal harm benefit from the chaos and confusion they create


Black blood will need to be lanced
Negative energy must be released to heal society


And when it's found you just blame
Rather than accepting responsibility for the issues present, people choose to play the blame game


The guilty faction
The source of the problem is the group of people responsible for causing harm




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE BUTLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

de GAILHARD Hendrix

great man Just said silence and listen

Med Mahdi Aimeur

Great Grrrr

de GAILHARD Hendrix

Jimi spirit

Kate Rickard

19,101 veiws and only 98 likes?? Baby's will be born with no ears soon, no need 🙃

Russell Vaillancourt

We shouldn't compare John Butler with God, it would be an insult for John.