Both Sides Of The Gun
Ben Harper Lyrics


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Living these days is making me nervous
Archaic doctrine no longer serve us
Now we're left as silent witnesses
We don't know quite what this is
Other than a war that can't be won

I feel like I'm crowded, I can't get out
World keeps on filling me up with doubt
When you're trapped you got no voice
Where you're born you got no choice
Other than to go and take you some

One dimensional fool
In a three dimensional world

Politics, it's a drag
They put one foot in the grave
And the other on the flag
Systems rotten to the core
Young and old deserve much more
Than struggling every day until you're done

Tension




Too much to mention
Living on both sides of the gun

Overall Meaning

In Ben Harper's song "Both Sides of the Gun," he expresses a deep frustration with the state of society today. He begins by stating that living in these days is making him nervous, indicating that something feels off or wrong in our current world. He suggests that the archaic doctrine which used to guide us is no longer relevant, leaving us without a clear sense of direction. Instead, we are now left as silent witnesses to an ongoing war that cannot be won. This war could be taken to mean either the literal wars raging around the world, or perhaps a more metaphorical battle between different ideologies and belief systems.


As the song continues, Harper explores feelings of entrapment and disillusionment. He feels crowded and unable to escape the doubts and worries that fill his mind. As he sees it, those who are born into certain circumstances have no real choice or agency in their lives. This leads to a sense of hopelessness and a desire to take matters into one's own hands - "other than to go and take you some." Essentially, Harper is saying that when you feel trapped and powerless, it's easy to resort to violence or other extreme actions in order to reclaim a sense of agency or control.


Overall, "Both Sides of the Gun" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world today. Harper highlights the various ways in which we can feel helpless and frustrated by the larger systems and structures that govern our lives. The song also suggests that unless we find a way to address our underlying feelings of powerlessness and despair, we may never be able to break free from the vicious cycle of violence and conflict that seems to plague our world.


Line by Line Meaning

Living these days is making me nervous
I am becoming increasingly anxious about the current state of affairs


Archaic doctrine no longer serve us
Traditional beliefs and practices are no longer applicable in our modern times


Now we're left as silent witnesses
We are powerless and unable to speak out against the injustices we see


We don't know quite what this is
We are unsure of what exactly is happening around us


Other than a war that can't be won
Other than being engaged in an unwinnable struggle


I feel like I'm crowded, I can't get out
I feel suffocated and trapped with no way out


World keeps on filling me up with doubt
The world is continually causing me to question everything


When you're trapped you got no voice
When you are confined, you are unable to express yourself


Where you're born you got no choice
Where you are born determines your options and opportunities


Other than to go and take you some
Other than take action to change your situation


One dimensional fool
A fool who views the world in a simplistic, narrow-minded way


In a three dimensional world
In a complex, multi-faceted world with many different perspectives


Politics, it's a drag
Politics is tedious and boring


They put one foot in the grave
Politicians are increasingly out of touch and near the end of their lives


And the other on the flag
Politicians are also overly focused on their nationalist beliefs


Systems rotten to the core
The systems that are in place are corrupt and irreparable to the very core


Young and old deserve much more
Both young and old deserve a better future


Than struggling every day until you're done
Instead of the daily struggle until one's life is over


Tension
There is a great deal of stress and unease


Too much to mention
The causes of this tension are too numerous to state


Living on both sides of the gun
Existing in a state of conflict, unsure which side one is on




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BEN C HARPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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