Don't Tread On Me
311 Lyrics


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(Nick) Before you're pointing at me,
There is a possibility,
You better turn that finger around
Defense comes easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Some days it seems it's not worth it
The fight in me is all gone
And I'm not trying to be perfect
To just get one damn thing done.
Before I lose control
I pick myself up off the floor.

Before you're pointing at me,
There is a possibility,
You better turn that finger around
Defense comes easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

(SA)
Never come a day that'll solve you
Consequently I could never leave you
In the shadow of those living battleships, I love our canoe
I'm ready for the falls and the still waters we will find our true

(Nick)
Oh there's a clock in my head
And despite what it said
Another one in the wall
We don't agree at all
And this just gives รข??em to me
And despite what you see
You must see me as calm, but I don't want to give up.

Before you're pointing at me,
There is a possibility,
You better turn that finger around
Defense comes easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Woah
Ohh in the comfort of strangers
You don't see the danger of just letting it flow
This I know.

Before you're pointing at me,
There is a possibility,
You better turn that finger around
Defense comes easily




So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Overall Meaning

โ€œDonโ€™t Tread On Meโ€ by 311 is a song about standing up for oneself and not allowing others to push you around. The first verse sung by Nick Hexum sets the tone for the song by warning others that if they point fingers at him, there is a possibility of retaliation. The line โ€œdefense comes easily, so donโ€™t you tread on meโ€ emphasizes the importance of standing your ground and not allowing others to take advantage of you. The second verse continues this theme, with the lyrics โ€œsome days it seems itโ€™s not worth it, the fight in me is all gone,โ€ highlighting the difficulties of standing up for oneself in the face of adversity. However, the chorus repeats the message that โ€œdon't tread on me cause I will knock you down.โ€


The second part of the song sung by SA Martinez introduces a new element, love. He mentions a โ€œcanoeโ€ that he and his lover are in, and how they will โ€œfind our trueโ€ in the still waters they are approaching. These lyrics can be interpreted as someone who is determined to push past the obstacles in life and succeed in both love and career.


The third and final part of the song by Nick Hexum is somewhat cryptic, but seems to be about the struggle between his internal clock and external pressures. He speaks of a clock โ€œin his headโ€ and another โ€œin the wallโ€ that he does not agree with. Despite this, he is determined not to โ€œgive up,โ€ and the chorus repeats the message that he will fight back against anyone who tries to โ€œtread on him.โ€


Overall, โ€œDonโ€™t Tread On Meโ€ is a song about standing up for oneself and fighting against oppression or subjugation from others. It is a motivational anthem for anyone who has felt pushed around or taken advantage of, and encourages them to take control of their lives and not allow others to dictate their actions or emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

Before you're pointing at me,
Don't try to blame me for something before you consider that you might be wrong.


There is a possibility,
There is a chance that you could be mistaken.


You better turn that finger around
Stop pointing your finger at me and accusing me of something without evidence.


Defense comes easily
I am not afraid to defend myself.


So don't you tread on me
Don't try to take advantage of me or harm me, because I won't let you.


Cause I will knock you down
If you mess with me, I won't hesitate to use force if necessary.


Some days it seems it's not worth it
Sometimes it feels like it's not worth the effort to fight back.


The fight in me is all gone
I am tired and don't feel like fighting anymore.


And I'm not trying to be perfect
I know I'm not perfect, but I'm doing my best.


To just get one damn thing done.
All I want is to accomplish one task without being bothered.


Before I lose control
Before I get too angry and lose my cool.


I pick myself up off the floor.
I try to calm down and regain my composure.


Never come a day that'll solve you
There is no magic solution that will solve all your problems.


Consequently I could never leave you
I will always be here for you, no matter what.


In the shadow of those living battleships, I love our canoe
Even in the face of larger problems, I still love our small, simple life together.


I'm ready for the falls and the still waters we will find our true
I am prepared for both the challenging and calm times, as they are both opportunities for growth and self-discovery.


Oh there's a clock in my head
I feel a sense of pressure and urgency to accomplish things.


And despite what it said
Despite the expectations and deadlines I set for myself.


Another one in the wall
Another task to add to the never-ending list.


We don't agree at all
I am in conflict with my own expectations.


And this just gives รข??em to me
Despite the challenges, I still accept more tasks and responsibilities.


And despite what you see
Despite the image of calm and composure I try to present.


You must see me as calm, but I don't want to give up.
You might see me as calm, but I am still struggling and don't want to give up.


Woah
Expressing a feeling of being overwhelmed or surprised.


Ohh in the comfort of strangers
Sometimes it's easier to be vulnerable and honest with strangers than with people we know well.


You don't see the danger of just letting it flow
You might not realize the potential harm or negative outcomes that can come from not taking control of a situation and just letting things happen.


This I know.
I am aware of the dangers that can come from complacency or apathy.




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@egafifi2298

"Don't Tread On Me"

Before you're pointed at me
There is a possibility
You better turn that thing around
The fits come easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Some days it seems it's not worth it
The fight in me is all gone
And I'm not trying to be perfect
But just get one damn thing done
Before I lose control
I pick myself from the floor

Before you're pointed at me
There is a possibility
You better turn that thing around
The fits come easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Never come a day that I'll solve you
Consequently I could never leave you
In the shadow of those looming battleships
I love our canoe
I'm ready for the falls
And those still waters we will find are true

Oh there's a clock in my head
And despite what it says
Another one on the wall
They don't agree at all
And there's a schism in me
And despite what you see
You might see me as calm
But I go out like a bomb

Before you're pointed at me
There is a possibility
You better turn that thing around
The fits come easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down

Whoa
Oh in the comfort of strangers
You don't see the danger
Of just letting it flow
This I know

Before you're pointed at me
There is a possibility
You better turn that thing around
The fits come easily
So don't you tread on me
Cause I will knock you down



@PipTheSquirrel

Never come a day that I'll solve you
Consequently I could never leave you
In the shadow of those looming battleships
I love our canoe
I'm ready for the falls
And those still waters we will find are true

Oh there's a clock in my head
And despite what it says
Another one on the wall
They don't agree at all
And there's a schism in me
And despite what you see
You might see me as calm
But I go out like a bomb.



@wesleymitchell311

LNxTCB



creepers creepin on yesterday
what got you high?
the demise and pain of another
the vonerability
ease of access without risk
so
relive the tragic again and again
without the strength of defence
in other words the hospital is addicted to you
being down... so
hindered by the paranoia of others as well...



All comments from YouTube:

@bladeofwar

Each member is extremely talented. Probably one of the most overlooked and underrated bands of all time. Three Eleven, Three Three Eleven.

@greghughes6098

Woooo

@the2ndcoming135

They managed to survive the rap-rock debacle and stuck with their bread and butter thankfully.

@jtaco4101

No

@bladeofwar

Yes

@nissinlupus5590

0

6 More Replies...

@tianasixkiller4771

Been listening to 311 for 30 years. I love them as much as I did when they dropped the first. Awesome band. Every track is hot.

@michaelswan8243

Lol

@FaygoDaKlown

@Michael Swan Lots of love right? Lmfao

@steve-oh4342

and then there's Daisy Cutter.....

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