tears
Across the Border Lyrics
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the last of a tribe on the American prairie
down under I saw some old native sons,
a Kurdish girl faced by German guns
I saw the tears...
And I saw the tears of the last 100 years
Of wars and oppression
broken dreams, human fears
in their eyes, in their eyes
Immigrant eyes on a German police station
in this land it's a normal situation
escaping from a civil war
to be mistreated by the German law
I saw the tears...
The song "Tears" by Across the Border is a powerful contemplation of the tragic consequences of war and oppression on individuals and communities. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the varied faces of pain, injustice, and heartbreak that the singer has witnessed in different corners of the world, from the native tribes in America to the Kurdish girl facing German guns, and the immigrant eyes on a German police station. The central motif of tears underscores the deep emotional scars that persist in people's eyes, regardless of their race, nationality, or culture, as they grapple with the aftermath of conflicts and displacement.
The first stanza of the song captures the singer's encounter with a child in Belfast and Derry, two cities that have been deeply affected by the prolonged sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. The child, described as the last of a tribe on the American prairie, could be a metaphor for the vanishing cultures and identities that have been erased or displaced by colonialism and modernity. Similarly, the reference to the "old native sons" in Australia evokes the marginalization and dispossession of the indigenous people in many parts of the world. The juxtaposition of these seemingly disparate places highlights the universality of human suffering and resilience across different borders and histories.
The second stanza focuses on the plight of immigrants who are seeking refuge from civil wars or other forms of persecution but face discrimination and abuse in their host countries. The image of "immigrant eyes" on a German police station suggests the dehumanizing experience of being treated as a suspect or a criminal simply because of one's ethnicity or background. The irony of fleeing from one kind of violence only to encounter another kind, the structural violence of institutional racism and xenophobia, underscores the complex and often paradoxical nature of migration and displacement.
In conclusion, "Tears" is a poignant and reflective song that invites the listener to empathize with the suffering and struggles of others in diverse contexts. Its lyrical style weaves together personal anecdotes with social commentary, making a potent call for compassion and understanding in a world torn apart by conflict and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
I met a child in Belfast and Derry
I encountered a child who was affected by the violence and conflict in Belfast and Derry.
the last of a tribe on the American prairie
This child was like the last survivor of a tribe in the American wilderness, who is also threatened with extinction.
down under I saw some old native sons
In Australia, I witnessed some indigenous people who have been marginalized and treated poorly as a result of colonization and displacement.
a Kurdish girl faced by German guns
I saw a Kurdish girl who was put in a dangerous situation by the violent conflict in Germany, which threatens her safety.
And I saw the tears of the last 100 years
The tears I saw are not just representative of one moment, but rather the accumulated pain and sadness from a century of systemic oppression and violence.
of wars and oppression
These tears were brought on by the trauma of war, the crushing weight of oppression, and the deep-seated injustice that permeates society.
broken dreams, human fears
These emotions are the result of the shattered hopes and dreams of countless individuals, who have been continually beaten down by a society that views them as expendable and disposable.
in their eyes, in their eyes
The reflection of these tears in their eyes is a powerful symbol of the pain and suffering that they have experienced, and the injustices that they have had to endure.
Immigrant eyes on a German police station
These tears belong to people who have migrated to Germany and are now subjected to harassment and inhumane treatment at the hands of law enforcement.
in this land it's a normal situation
Sadly, this treatment of immigrants is all too common in Germany despite the supposed progress of society.
escaping from a civil war
These people have been forced to flee their own countries due to the violence and instability of civil war that threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.
to be mistreated by the German law
Unfortunately, their arrival in Germany only brought more hardship, as they are treated as criminals despite their innocence and need for refuge.
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.