Chant
André De Shields & Hadestown Original Broadway Company Lyrics
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Is it true? (Is it true?)
What's that noise?
And the walls had heard what the boy was saying
It's the boy
A million tons of stone and steel
Is it true? (Is it true?)
Echoed his refrain
Low, keep your head, keep your head low
Oh, you gotta keep your head low
If you wanna keep your head
Oh, you gotta keep your head low
Keep your head, keep your head low
Oh, you gotta keep your head low
If you wanna keep your head
Oh, you gotta
Why do we turn away when our brother is bleeding?
Oh, keep your head
Why do we build the wall and then call it freedom?
Oh, keep your head
If we're free, tell me why
I can't look in my brother's eye?
Keep your head
Young man
Got to hand it to ya
Guess you don't scare easy, do ya?
Are you brave or stupid, son?
Doesn't matter which one
'Cause it seems your song made quite a strong impression on my wife
But it takes more than singin' songs to keep a woman in your arms
Take it from a man no longer young
If you want to hold a woman, son
Hang a chain around her throat
Made of many carat gold
Shackle her from wrist to wrist
With sterling silver bracelets
Fill her pockets full of stones
Precious ones, diamonds
Bind her with a golden band
Take it from an old man
Oh
If I raise my voice
If I raise my voice
If I raise my voice (keep your head low)
If I raise my head
If I raise my head
If I raise my head (keep your head low)
Could I change my fate?
Could I change
Could I change
Could I change my fate? (Oh, you gotta keep your head low)
If I raise my voice could I
Keep your head low
Could I change the way it is?
Why do we turn away instead of standing with him?
Oh, keep your head
Why are we digging our own graves for a living?
Oh, keep your head
If we're free, tell me why
We can't even stand upright?
If we're free, tell me when
We can stand with our fellow man
Keep your head
Young man, I was young once too
Sang a song of love like you
Son, I too, was left behind
Turned on one too many times (ah-ooh)
Now I sing a different song
One I can depend upon (ah-ooh)
A simple tune, a steady beat
The music of machinery (ah-ooh)
You hear that heavy metal sound?
The symphony of Hadestown
And in this symphony of mine
Of power cords and power lines
Young man, you can strum your lyre
I have strung the world in wire
Young man, you can sing your ditty
I conduct the electric city
I'll tell you what, young man
Since my wife is such a fan
And since I'm going to count to three
And put you out of your misery
One! Give me one more song
One more song before I send you
Two! To the great beyond
Where nobody can hear you singing
Three! Sing a song for me
Make me laugh, make me weep
Make the king feel young again
Sing for an old man
"Chant" is a powerful and introspective song from the musical "Hadestown". The song explores the themes of oppression, societal divisions, and the power dynamics between the ruling class and the working class. The lyrics suggest that walls have ears, symbolizing how information and conversations can be monitored and used against individuals. The boy mentioned in the lyrics seems to have said something that caught the attention of those in power.
The song emphasizes the need to keep one's head low in order to survive and navigate through a world filled with inequality and injustice. It questions why people turn away from the suffering of others and why walls are built under the guise of freedom. The song poses the thought-provoking question of how freedom can truly exist if individuals are unable to look one another in the eye and show empathy.
As the song progresses, an older man advises the young man to hold onto a woman with material possessions, reinforcing the idea that power and control can be achieved through wealth and possession. The older man's perspective highlights how experience can shape one's view of the world. The song concludes with the older man requesting the young man to sing for him, temporarily allowing him to feel young again.
Overall, "Chant" delves into the complexities of power, inequality, and the choices individuals make in a world where oppression and injustice abound.
Line by Line Meaning
Now everybody knows that walls have ears
It is common knowledge that walls can overhear conversations
Is it true? (Is it true?)
Can this be confirmed? (Can this be confirmed?)
What's that noise?
What is causing that sound?
And the walls had heard what the boy was saying
And the walls had listened to the boy's words
A million tons of stone and steel
An immense amount of solid construction material
Echoed his refrain
Repeated his chorus
Low, keep your head, keep your head low
Stay cautious and discreet, keep a low profile
Oh, you gotta keep your head low
Oh, it is imperative to stay inconspicuous
If you wanna keep your head
If you wish to keep your life
Why do we turn away when our brother is bleeding?
Why do we ignore our suffering brethren?
Oh, keep your head
Oh, stay alert and cautious
Why do we build the wall and then call it freedom?
Why do we construct barriers and label them as liberty?
Oh, keep your head
Oh, remain vigilant
If we're free, tell me why
If we have freedom, explain to me why
I can't look in my brother's eye?
I am unable to make eye contact with my fellow man
Young man
Dear young gentleman
Got to hand it to ya
I must give you credit
Guess you don't scare easy, do ya?
I suppose you are not easily frightened, are you?
Are you brave or stupid, son?
Are you courageous or foolish, my boy?
Doesn't matter which one
It is irrelevant which option
'Cause it seems your song made quite a strong impression on my wife
Because it appears that your song deeply influenced my spouse
But it takes more than singin' songs to keep a woman in your arms
However, it requires more than just serenading to maintain a woman's affection
Take it from a man no longer young
Allow an elder gentleman to advise you
If you want to hold a woman, son
If you desire to keep a woman close, my child
Hang a chain around her throat
Place a necklace around her neck
Made of many carat gold
Crafted from valuable gold
Shackle her from wrist to wrist
Fasten bracelets on her wrists
With sterling silver bracelets
Adorn her with high-quality silver wristwear
Fill her pockets full of stones
Stuff her pockets with precious gemstones
Precious ones, diamonds
Valuable ones, diamonds
Bind her with a golden band
Tie her with a golden ring
Take it from an old man
Listen to the wisdom of an elderly gentleman
If I raise my voice
If I speak out boldly
If I raise my head
If I lift my head high
Could I change my fate?
Would I be able to alter my destiny?
Could I change
Could I modify
Could I change
Could I transform
Could I change my fate? (Oh, you gotta keep your head low)
Would I have the power to change my predetermined future? (Oh, it is necessary to remain inconspicuous)
Why do we turn away instead of standing with him?
Why do we avert our gaze instead of supporting him?
Why are we digging our own graves for a living?
Why are we engaging in self-destructive actions for our livelihood?
If we're free, tell me why
If we possess freedom, explain to me why
We can't even stand upright?
We are unable to even stand tall?
If we're free, tell me when
If we are truly free, inform me when
We can stand with our fellow man
We can unite with our fellow human beings
Keep your head
Remain alert and cautious
Young man, I was young once too
Dear young gentleman, I also experienced youth
Sang a song of love like you
Serenaded with a love song, just like you
Son, I too, was left behind
Son, I also felt abandoned
Turned on one too many times (ah-ooh)
Betrayed once too often (ah-ooh)
Now I sing a different song
Nowadays, I sing a distinct tune
One I can depend upon (ah-ooh)
One I can rely on (ah-ooh)
A simple tune, a steady beat
A straightforward melody, a consistent rhythm
The music of machinery (ah-ooh)
The sound of mechanical devices (ah-ooh)
You hear that heavy metal sound?
Do you perceive that deep metallic noise?
The symphony of Hadestown
The orchestration of the underworld city, Hadestown
And in this symphony of mine
And within this composition of mine
Of power cords and power lines
Of electrical cables and transmission lines
Young man, you can strum your lyre
Dear young gentleman, you can play your lyre
I have strung the world in wire
I have connected the world through wires
Young man, you can sing your ditty
Dear young gentleman, you can sing your simple song
I conduct the electric city
I manage and direct the electrified metropolis
I'll tell you what, young man
Allow me to tell you, young gentleman
Since my wife is such a fan
Because my spouse is a great admirer
And since I'm going to count to three
And since I am about to count to three
And put you out of your misery
And end your suffering
One! Give me one more song
One! Sing one more song for me
One more song before I send you
Another song before I dispatch you
Two! To the great beyond
Two! To the unknown realm after death
Where nobody can hear you singing
Where nobody will be able to hear your singing
Three! Sing a song for me
Three! Perform a song for my pleasure
Make me laugh, make me weep
Evoke laughter and tears from me
Make the king feel young again
Make the ruler experience youthfulness once more
Sing for an old man
Sing for an elderly gentleman
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anais Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind