It's Alright Ma
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics

Darkness at the break of noon
Even in the middle of the day, there is a sense of darkness and despair.

Shadows even the silver spoon
The privilege and wealth represented by a silver spoon are overshadowed by the problems and struggles of life.

The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Both harmful and harmless things exist in this world, created by human hands.

Eclipses both the sun and moon
The troubles and challenges we face can overshadow even the brightest aspects of life.

To understand you know too soon
Gaining a true understanding of life's hardships often happens too early in one's journey.

There is no sense in trying
Despite the difficulties, there seems to be no point in trying to make sense of it all.

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
People who make threats often do so without real conviction or intention to do harm.

Suicide remarks are torn
Words spoken in despair or desperation can be emotionally tearing.

From the fool's gold mouthpiece
Empty and deceitful words come from those who only value material wealth and superficial success.

The hollow horn plays wasted words
Empty and meaningless messages are spread through various channels, such as media or powerful figures.

Proves to warn that he not busy being born
This warns that if one is not actively changing and growing, they are simply moving closer to death.

Is busy dying
Those who are not actively living their lives to the fullest are simply wasting away.

Temptation's page flies out the door
Opportunities for temptation are constantly presenting themselves and can easily lure us in.

You follow, find yourself at war
Giving in to temptation can lead to inner conflict and turmoil.

Watch waterfalls of pity roar
Witnessing the sorrow and compassion of others can be overwhelming and disheartening.

You feel to moan but unlike before
In the face of hardship, expressing one's pain and frustration may not bring relief as it once did.

You discover that you'd just be
Realizing that expressing your suffering will not bring about meaningful change.

One more person crying
Joining the countless others who are also suffering and struggling.

So don't fear if you hear
Do not be afraid if you hear something unfamiliar or unsettling.

A foreign sound to your ear
Something that sounds strange or different from what you are accustomed to.

It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing
Assuring his mother that he is not in immediate danger or pain, just expressing his discontent.

As some warn victory, some downfall
While some people celebrate success, others are already experiencing defeat.

Private reasons great or small
The motivations behind people's actions and choices can be personal and varied.

Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
One's intentions and character can often be discerned by observing their eyes and expressions.

To make all that should be killed to crawl
Some seek power and control, trying to force others into submission or weakness.

While others say don't hate nothing at all
There are those who advocate for peace and non-violence, rejecting hate entirely.

Except hatred
Ironically, the only thing they allow themselves to hate is hate itself.

Disillusioned words like bullets bark
Cynical and dishonest words can be just as harmful and piercing as bullets.

As human gods aim for their mark
Powerful individuals with great influence often strive to achieve their desired impact on the world.

Made everything from toy guns that spark
Even innocent toys can be transformed into symbols of violence and conflict.

To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
Religious and sacred symbols are often manipulated and distorted for personal gain or control.

It's easy to see without looking too far
Understanding the corruption and hypocrisy in society does not require extensive investigation.

That not much is really sacred
In reality, very few things hold true and untainted significance.

While preachers preach of evil fates
Religious leaders often warn of disastrous and wicked destinies.

Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Educators emphasize the importance of acquiring knowledge and learning.

Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Acquiring education and skills can result in financial success and opulence.

Goodness hides behind its gates
The concept of goodness remains inaccessible and exclusive to a privileged few.

But even the president of the United States
Even someone as powerful as the president is not exempt from criticism and vulnerability.

Sometimes must have to stand naked
Occasionally, even the most influential and protected individuals must face their own vulnerability and exposure.

An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
Even though guidelines and standards are established in society,

It's only people's games that you got to dodge
It is ultimately the games and manipulations of other people that one must navigate and avoid.

And it's alright, Ma, I can make it
Reassuring his mother that he has the capability to overcome the challenges he faces.

Advertising signs that con you
Advertisements that deceive and manipulate consumers into believing false promises.

Into thinking you're the one
Prompting individuals to believe they are exceptional and unique.

That can do what's never been done
Creating the illusion that one can achieve extraordinary feats, surpassing all previous accomplishments.

That can win what's never been won
Instilling the belief that victory and success can be attained in previously unattainable ways.

Meantime life outside goes on
Meanwhile, life continues to progress and move forward outside of these illusions.

All around you
Surrounding you, happening in your environment.

You lose yourself, you reappear
In the midst of everything, you may become lost or stray from your true identity, only to resurface again.

You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Through these experiences, you may come to a realization that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Alone you stand with nobody near
At times, you will find yourself standing alone, without anyone by your side.

When a trembling distant voice, unclear
But then, a faint and uncertain voice from afar reaches your ears.

Startles your sleeping ears to hear
Jolting your awareness and waking you up from a state of complacency.

That somebody thinks they really found you
The realization that someone believes they have truly discovered your true self.

A question in your nerves is lit
This ignites a sense of unease and uncertainty within you.

Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
However, deep down, you understand that there is no answer that can fully satisfy or provide clarity.

Insure you not to quit
Ensure that you do not give up or abandon your journey.

To keep it in your mind and not fergit
Always remember and hold onto this realization, without forgetting it.

That it is not he or she or them or it
Understand that your identity and worth are not defined by external factors or other people.

That you belong to
You belong to yourself, and nobody else.

Although the masters make the rules
Even though those in power create the rules and establish the systems,

For the wise men and the fools
These rules apply to both the intelligent and the foolish.

I got nothing, Ma, to live up to
Revealing that he does not feel the need to conform or meet the expectations placed on him by others.

For them that must obey authority
For those who are obligated to follow and submit to authority figures.

That they do not respect in any degree
Despite their lack of respect for these figures and their positions of power.

Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Those who have contempt for their own occupations and life paths.

Speak jealously of them that are free
They speak with envy and resentment towards those who are liberated and live unconventionally.

Do what they do just to be nothing more than something they invest in
These individuals conform to societal expectations simply to be considered worthwhile investments, devoid of true passion or fulfillment.

While some on principles baptized
Meanwhile, there are those who adhere strictly to their principles and beliefs,

To strict party platform ties
Aligning themselves with rigid political ideologies and party agendas.

Social clubs in drag disguise
These groups and organizations masquerade as a force for social change and progress.

Outsiders they can freely criticize
They are quick to criticize those who do not adhere to their standards, while maintaining their position as outsiders themselves.

Tell nothing except who to idolize
Their only contribution is to dictate who should be idolized or revered without offering any substantial insights or solutions.

And then say God bless him
After designating an idol, these critics hypocritically bestow blessings upon them.

While one who sings with his tongue on fire
In contrast, there are individuals who speak passionately and fearlessly,

Gargles in the rat race choir
Singing along with the masses, drowning in the chaotic and competitive nature of society.

Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Their true selves have become distorted and disfigured due to the pressures and constraints imposed by society.

Cares not to come up any higher
They have no interest or desire to climb any higher in the social hierarchy.

But rather get you down in the hole that he's in
Instead, their aim is to bring others down to their own level of misery and disillusionment.

But I mean no harm nor put fault
Despite the criticism and observations made, there is no intention to cause harm or blame.

On anyone that lives in a vault
Those who willingly confine themselves within a metaphorical vault or prison.

But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him
Expressing that it is acceptable, mother, if he cannot meet the expectations and demands of others.

Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Authority figures, often conservative and critical older women, observe individuals in relationships.

Limited in sex, they dare
Confined by societal norms and expectations around sexuality, they still dare to judge and impose their views on others.

To push fake morals, insult and stare
They enforce false moral values, insult others, and stare condescendingly at those who do not conform.

While money doesn't talk, it swears
Money may not have a voice, but its influence and power are evident in society and can lead to corruption.

Obscenity, who really cares
Society often disregards true obscenities or immorality, focusing on superficial offenses instead.

Propaganda, all is phony
The information and messages disseminated in society are often deceitful and lacking authenticity.

While them that defend what they cannot see
Those who staunchly defend beliefs and ideals that are not grounded in tangible evidence or reality.

With a killer's pride, security
With great arrogance and confidence, they shield themselves with a false sense of security.

It blows the minds most bitterly
This attitude deeply disturbs and frustrates others.

For them that think death's honesty
For those who believe that death reveals the ultimate truth or honesty of life.

Won't fall upon them naturally
They delude themselves into thinking that death will not come for them in a natural and inevitable manner.

Life sometimes must get lonely
At times, life can become isolating and solitary.

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
One's perspective clashes with the illusory and false monuments of success and achievement.

False gods, I scuff
The artist dismisses and rejects the worship and idolization of these false gods and symbols.

At pettiness which plays so rough
The pettiness and triviality of life can be harsh and challenging to navigate.

Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Feeling trapped and restricted, as if walking in an inverted position within the confines of handcuffs.

Kick my legs to crash it off
Struggling to free oneself from these restraints and break free from the limitations they impose.

Say okay, I have had enough
Reaching a point where one decides they have endured and experienced enough hardship and adversity.

What else can you show me
Questioning what else life can possibly offer or present them with to make a difference.

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
If the dreams and thoughts within their mind were visible to others,

They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
There is a likelihood that their ideas and visions would be met with hostility and opposition, leading to potential harm.

But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only
Assuring his mother that despite the challenges and dangers, life is worth living and experiencing.