99 Red Balloons
48th St. Collective Lyrics

You and I in a little toy shop
You and someone close to you are in a small retail outlet that sells toys and other items for children.

Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
You purchased a collection of inflated items made of latex or rubber by exchanging currency for them.

Set them free at the break of dawn
You released these inflated items outside just as daylight was beginning to emerge.

'Til one by one they were gone
Each balloon gradually vanished from view over time.

Back at base bugs in the software
There could be malfunctions within the technology systems that would interrupt communication between various entities.

Flash the message 'something's out there!'
An alarm text is sent indicating that there exists an unidentified object or creature that may be a source of danger.

Floating in the summer sky
The inflated items are airborne and are roaming in the atmosphere during warm months.

Ninety-nine red balloons go by
You observed 99 inflatables moving past you through the air.

Panic bells, it's red alert
An urgent warning signal associated with danger has activated indicating that there is a significant threat present.

There's something here from somewhere else
A foreign object or creature has appeared in the location where you and others are located.

The war machine springs to life
Devices that can be utilized to inflict harm on others suddenly become active and operational.

Opens up one eager eye
One part of the weapon system is activated and is ready to be used in defense or offense.

Focusing it on the sky
The weapon system now becomes directed upwards at the atmosphere where there is a threat of danger present.

Where ninety-nine red balloons go by
The weapon system is being aimed at 99 airborne inflatable items that have come into view.

Ninety-nine decision street
There are a number of choices that need to be made, and there’s a good deal of stress associated with the decision-making process.

Ninety-nine ministers meet
A group of people (ministers) gathered together to discuss important matters and make decisions.

To worry, worry, super scurry
An overwhelming amount of anxiety and nervousness despite trying to move and act with great speed.

Call the troops out in a hurry
Panic has set in, and haste is required to mobilize and get individuals or groups ready to battle.

This is what we've waited for
This event, situation, or decision making is what we’ve been anticipating and preparing for.

This is it, boys, this is war
The state of conflict and controversy is now present, and there is a sense of urgency and seriousness moving forward.

The president is on the line
The leader of a country is making a phone call to discuss an important matter, and this is urgent.

As ninety-nine red balloons go by
While 99 inflated items continue to move nearby or overhead through the air.

Ninety-nine knights of the air
Individuals that are highly skilled and equipped for aerial combat are present.

Ride super high-tech jet fighters
These are military pilots traveling in the most advanced and cutting edge combat aircraft.

Everyone's a super hero
Each pilot is seen as fearless, brave and capable of heroic action.

Everyone's a captain Kirk
Each pilot may be perceived as having the same character traits as the iconic science fiction captain.

With orders to identify
A directive has been given to these pilots instructing them to recognize and classify what is happening in the environment.

To clarify and classify
The pilots have been ordered to gain better understanding and knowledge of what is presently occurring visually.

Scramble in the summer sky
The pilots are being ordered to take off quickly and ascend to find and engage the source of conflict.

Ninety-nine red balloons go by
The number of inflatables that remain in view as the pilots begin to take off and fly in the air.

As ninety-nine red balloons go by
The inflated objects still exist in the immediate area, and pilots exist in the same space.

Ninety-nine dreams I have had
There have been recurring ideas or thoughts in your mind that feature 99 red inflatables.

In every one a red balloon
For each dream or idea, the image of a red inflatable has been present.

It's all over and I'm standing pretty
The situation has ended, and you are now standing in a physically attractive or comfortable position.

In this dust that was a city
The dust in the air with the rubble of what was once a large and vibrant urban environment.

If I could find a souvenir
You are searching for something meaningful to remember this event by.

Just to prove the world was here
Acquiring an object can serve as evidence that the world's existence is valid.

And here is a red balloon
A red piece of plastic inflated with air is what you have found.

I think of you, and let it go
You are reminded of a specific person as you release the air out of the inflated object.