I'm the one whose got a religion
I'm the one I couldn't take my knife

Are you gonna be ready to use it
If you hesitate they'll pursue it
Put the gun to the dome and no question
Now the holy ghost is in question
What about the banks when they say go
Standing at the top they can't let go
Standing at the gate can't take that time
When I try sometimes I can't stay high

Are you gonna be ready to use it
If you hesitate they'll pursue it
Good and evil came from above
Death peace heaven eternal love
Bleeding at the gates I can't come in
Courage that abates a life of sin
Sure that it holds and it holds no other
With the lies of the brave, the kid don't matter

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to NOFX's song "I'm The One" suggest themes of religion, violence, and uncertainty. The first two lines introduce the singer as someone who has a strong belief system, but also someone who exerts control through violence (with a possible reference to suicide). The lyrics then turn to questioning the readiness and courage to use a weapon when necessary, with a warning that hesitation could lead to unwanted consequences. The imagery of "putting the gun to the dome" suggests a violent confrontation with a powerful opponent, who questions the legitimacy of the singer's beliefs.

The song then presents a philosophical contrast between good and evil, claiming that both derive from a divine source ("came from above"), before ending with a sense of frustration and exclusion ("bleeding at the gates," "can't come in"). The lyrics hint at a larger social and political context, alluding to bankers and "lies of the brave," but leave the listener with an impression of a personal struggle, where courage and belief are tested against overwhelming odds.

Overall, "I'm The One" is a complex and thought-provoking song that raises questions about identity, morality, and power. It poses existential challenges that demand courage and conviction, but also suggests a world in which such qualities are often misused or misunderstood.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm the one whose got a religion
I am a person who has their own set of beliefs and values

I'm the one I couldn't take my knife
I am a person who couldn't resist the violent temptation of using a knife

Are you gonna be ready to use it
Do you have the courage to use a weapon when necessary?

If you hesitate they'll pursue it
If you hesitate, your enemies will take the upper hand

Put the gun to the dome and no question
Pull the trigger without hesitation

Now the holy ghost is in question
After such an act, the morality of a religious person is in question

What about the banks when they say go
What happens when the financial institutions tell us to do something?

Standing at the top they can't let go
The people in power will not give up their power easily

Standing at the gate can't take that time
Waiting is not an option when it comes to making important decisions

When I try sometimes I can't stay high
Sometimes, despite one's best efforts, they cannot remain in a state of bliss

Good and evil came from above
All concepts of good and evil have been imposed on us from higher authorities

Death peace heaven eternal love
Death is what leads to peace, heaven, and eternal love

Bleeding at the gates I can't come in
Being unwelcome at a place and being unable to enter makes one feel defeated

Courage that abates a life of sin
Committing acts of valor can help us avoid otherwise sinful behavior

Sure that it holds and it holds no other
I am certain that there is no other way to approach things than the way I have chosen

With the lies of the brave, the kid don't matter
People in power may deceive others and use their bravery for their own gain, disregarding the lives and well-being of others

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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