2000
?.?.?. Lyrics
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Old man in mountain now
Well he got a plan
He got no slave god he don't need no slave
He seen the garden now and he got a key
He one big outlaw now he's fighting the ranch
Not much has changed in all this time
We don't use mummies now
2000 years ago in Iran
The lyrics of ?.?.?. song "2000" is a commentary on the continuity of rebellion and resistance. The first line references Iran 2000 years ago, likely pointing to the Achaemenid dynasty, though it could also simply be a reference to a historical turning point in the region. The "Old man in the mountain" referred to here is likely Hassan-i Sabbah, the leader of the Assassins, who were known for their rebellion against powerful empires in the eleventh century.
The lyrics suggest that the Old man in mountain has a new plan, and he doesn't need a slave god to accomplish it. He's seen the garden, perhaps a reference to the Islamic concept of paradise, and has the key to it- which could mean he's won power or he's created a new way of living. He's now fighting against the "ranch," potentially a reference to Western imperialism or traditional power structures.
The final lines make a stark comparison between 2000 years ago and the present day. The reference to mummies is a nod to ancient burial rituals, and sex between males is mentioned, likely as a way of acknowledging how societal norms around gender and sexuality have changed. The overall message seems to be that while the specific actors and circumstances of rebellion may have changed over time, the essential spirit of resistance remains the same.
Line by Line Meaning
2000 years ago in Iran
The singer is setting the historical context for the story being told.
Old man in mountain now
There is an old man living in the mountains. His importance will become evident later on.
Well he got a plan
The old man has a plan.
He got no slave god he don't need no slave
The old man doesn't believe in a god that would enslave others and doesn't need such a god.
He seen the garden now and he got a key
The old man has unlocked the secrets of the garden of paradise.
He one big outlaw now he's fighting the ranch
The old man is now a rebel who stands up against the establishment.
Not much has changed in all this time
Despite the passage of time, certain things have remained the same or even regressed.
We don't use mummies now
Society has evolved to no longer use mummification as a method of burial or preservation.
Use sex between males
Society has regressed to accepting and even promoting homosexuality as an alternative to traditional heterosexual relationships.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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