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Well its high noon at the U.K. corral,
& its high time I got myself back on the rails,
I'm the lonesome cowboy, ridin across the range,
With just a hand held radio--to keep me sane,
Ridin through the f.m. stations, the tumbleweed,
& the petrol stations,
Will all on board this yankee station
Prepare themselves for battle stations--
CHORUS
Jesus Wept. Jesus CHRIST.
I can't see for the tear gas, & the dollar signs in my eyes.
Well, what's a man got left to fight for
When he's bought his freedom
By the look of this human jungle
It ain't just the poor who'll be bleeding!
Most everyone round here thinks they're something special
That destiny will be kind--
While they're digging for gold, diving for pearls,
& aiming for heaven from this man made world.
Come on down--the devil's in town
He's brought you sticks and stones
To bust your neighbors bones,
He's stuck his missiles in your gardens,
& his theories down your throat--
& god knows what your gonna do with him
'cause I certainly don't
CHORUS
Down by the river, I've been washing out my mouth,
'cause deep in the heart of me
There's a frightened man breaking out.
Oh I was just looking for paradise
Anywhere in this world
While they're gunning for heaven--
From this man made hell!!!
Angels of Destruction.
Angels of Destruction!!!!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The The's song "Angels of Deception" convey a sense of disillusionment with the world and a longing for something better. The singer, who describes himself as a "lonesome cowboy," is riding across the range with just a hand-held radio for company. He listens to FM stations and passes petrol stations, all the while preparing for battle stations. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Jesus Wept" (a reference to John 11:35), followed by "Jesus CHRIST," which may indicate frustration or anger. The singer can't see for the tear gas and dollar signs in his eyes, suggesting that he is overwhelmed by the chaos and greed of the world around him.

The second verse of the song turns to a critique of society. The singer asks "what's a man got left to fight for when he's bought his freedom?" implying that freedom itself has been commodified and sold. He observes that the human jungle is not kind to anyone, not just the poor. The people around him think they're something special and deserve good things, while digging for gold, diving for pearls, and aiming for heaven from this man-made world. The chorus repeats, with the added line "I can't see for the tear gas, and the dollar signs in my eyes," suggesting that the chaos and greed of society are blinding him.

The final verse is perhaps the most personal. The singer confesses that he has been washing out his mouth down by the river, implying that he has been trying to rid himself of the corrupting influences of the world. He has been seeking paradise anywhere in this world, while others are gunning for heaven from this man-made hell. The final line repeats the phrase "Angels of Destruction" twice, perhaps suggesting that the world is out of balance and needs angels of a different sort to set things right.

Line by Line Meaning

Well its high noon at the U.K. corral,
It's midday in the United Kingdom, and it's time for me to get back on track.

& its high time I got myself back on the rails,
It's past due for me to get my life back on the right path.

I'm the lonesome cowboy, ridin across the range,
I feel alone in this world, making my way through life like a cowboy on horseback.

With just a hand held radio--to keep me sane,
I rely on my radio to maintain my sanity while I travel through this vast wilderness.

Ridin through the f.m. stations, the tumbleweed, & the petrol stations,
As I move forward, I'm passing through different landscapes and encountering various obstacles.

Will all on board this yankee station Prepare themselves for battle stations--
Everyone who listens to this American radio station is preparing for a fight.

CHORUS Jesus Wept. Jesus CHRIST. I can't see for the tear gas, & the dollar signs in my eyes.
I'm overwhelmed by the chaos and greed around me, struggling to keep my eyes open through the tear gas.

Well, what's a man got left to fight for When he's bought his freedom
What's the point of fighting for something when you've already paid the price?

By the look of this human jungle It ain't just the poor who'll be bleeding!
The violent world we live in is not just affecting the impoverished, but everyone.

Most everyone round here thinks they're something special That destiny will be kind--
The people around me believe they're entitled to a better life due to destiny.

While they're digging for gold, diving for pearls, & aiming for heaven from this man made world.
Instead of focusing on what really matters in life, some people are too preoccupied with money, material possessions, and the afterlife.

Come on down--the devil's in town He's brought you sticks and stones To bust your neighbors bones,
Evil has arrived and is promoting violence among neighbors.

He's stuck his missiles in your gardens, & his theories down your throat--
The enemy is using weapons and propaganda to control and manipulate us.

& god knows what your gonna do with him 'cause I certainly don't
I don't know how to fight the enemy or what their ultimate goal is.

CHORUS Down by the river, I've been washing out my mouth, 'cause deep in the heart of me There's a frightened man breaking out.
I feel anxiety and fear deep within my soul, and I'm trying to wash them away.

Oh I was just looking for paradise Anywhere in this world While they're gunning for heaven-- From this man made hell!!!
I was searching for a paradise in this world, but others are more focused on reaching heaven from this man-made hell.

Angels of Destruction. Angels of Destruction!!!!
The destructive forces that we're up against are relentless and powerful.

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