Alan Menken (born July 22, 1949 in New Rochelle, New York, United States) i… Read Full Bio ↴Alan Menken (born July 22, 1949 in New Rochelle, New York, United States) is an American musical theatre and film composer, and pianist. Menken has collaborated with several renowned lyricists including Howard Ashman (1950-1991), Tim Rice and Stephen Schwartz. For his work he has won eight Academy Awards as well as ten additional nominations.
His best known work includes the Disney animated movies, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Enchanted, Tangled and most recently, Sister Act the Musical.

Prólogo Pt. 1
Alan Menken Lyrics

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What can you expect
From filthy little heathens?
Their whole disgusting race is like a curse
Their skin's a hellish red
They're only good when dead
They're vermin, as I said
And worse

They're savages! Savages!

Barely even human

Savages! Savages!

Drive them from our shore!
They're not like you and me
Which means they must be evil
We must sound the drums of war!

They're savages! Savages!
Dirty redskin devils!
Now we sound the drums of war!

This is what we feared
The paleface is a demon
The only thing they feel at all is greed

Beneath that milky hide
There's emptiness inside

I wonder if they even bleed

They're savages! Savages!
Barely even human
Savages! Savages!

Killers at the core

They're different from us
Which means they can't be trusted

We must sound the drums of war

They're savages! Savages!
First we deal with this one
Then we sound the drums of war

Savages! Savages!

Let's go kill a few, men!

Savages! Savages!

Now it's up to you, men!

Savages! Savages!

Barely even human!
Now we sound the drums of war!

Overall Meaning

The song "Savages" from the soundtrack of the Disney animated film, Pocahontas, is a dialogue between two opposing groups, the English settlers and the Native Americans. The Englishmen see the natives as "dirty redskin devils," not worthy of human status, and plan to drive them from their land. The song reveals the settlers' deep-seated prejudices against the people they see as savages, and their willingness to engage in genocidal acts. The natives, in turn, see the English as greedy demons who are only interested in their land and resources. The song echoes the clash of cultures, values, and beliefs that characterized the early colonization of America.

The lyrics of "Savages" are laden with racial stereotypes and divisive language, yet there is a deeper message in the song. By juxtaposing the opinions of the two groups, the song highlights the dangers of blind hatred, fear, and ignorance. It shows how easy it is to demonize the other and ignore their humanity, leading to violence and destruction. The song ultimately calls for understanding, empathy, and peace, urging both parties to overcome their differences and see each other as equals.

Line by Line Meaning

What can you expect From filthy little heathens?
The singer is asking what kind of behavior can be expected from a group of people who are dirty and who do not follow the same customs and practices as the singer.

Their whole disgusting race is like a curse Their skin's a hellish red They're only good when dead They're vermin, as I said And worse
The singer is expressing a deep-seated hatred for the group of people, saying that their entire race is a curse, that they have red skin that is like hell, and that they are only useful when dead. The singer considers them vermin, or pests, and even worse than that.

They're savages! Savages! Barely even human Savages! Savages! Drive them from our shore!
The singer is referring to the group of people as savages, barely even human, and is calling for them to be driven away from their land.

They're not like you and me Which means they must be evil We must sound the drums of war!
The artist is saying that because the group of people is different from the artist, they must be evil. The artist is calling for war against them.

Dirty redskin devils! Now we sound the drums of war!
The artist is further expressing hatred towards the group, calling them dirty redskin devils, and calling for war against them.

This is what we feared The paleface is a demon The only thing they feel at all is greed
The singer is saying that their worst fears have been realized – they believe that the white people are demons and are driven only by greed.

Beneath that milky hide There's emptiness inside I wonder if they even bleed
The singer is expressing a belief that white people are superficial and lacking in depth, and even wonders if they are truly capable of feeling pain, since he considers them so heartless.

They're different from us Which means they can't be trusted We must sound the drums of war
The artist is saying that because the group of people is different from the artist, they cannot be trusted. The artist is calling for war against them.

First we deal with this one Then we sound the drums of war
The artist is saying that they will deal with one person or situation, and then call for war against the group of people.

Savages! Savages! Let's go kill a few, men! Savages! Savages! Now it's up to you, men!
The artist is calling on others to join in attacking and killing members of the group of people, and is urging them to take action now.

Savages! Savages! Barely even human! Now we sound the drums of war!
The singer is repeating the same hateful and violent message, calling members of the group of people savages and barely even human, and calling for war against them.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALAN MENKEN, STEPHEN LAURENCE SCHWARTZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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