Persecution Smith
Bob Seger Lyrics


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He rises every morning but he don't look at the sun
He reaches in the corner where he keeps his loaded gun
Then he checks the firing action, as he straps it to his chest
Plans an ambush for the mailman, even though it's all in jest
He's here he's there he's everywhere
He's found uptown and underground
Unlike my friend flicka you know he's not a myth
He's persecution, persecution, persecution smith

He's found at every protest march you'll see him looking on
He'd soon join in to help but he thinks it's all in fun
Cause he isn't colorblind not to mention no one's fool
He knows how things should be but he ain't out to change no rule

His eyes can't see like you and me
His voice can't speak but only shreik
His brain is like jelly his muscles they are stiff
He's persecution persecution persecution smith

You can't walk down the street no more without him walking by
You can't go to sleep at night without hearing him cry
You can't read a newspaper without reading about him
You can't escape him in the crowd for he will be among them

He's here he's there he's everywhere
He's found uptown and underground
In Watts, California you know who he was with
With persecution persecution persecution smith

When you're finished with your ideals
And you're finished with your dreams
When you're finished your crusading and no longer hear the screams
When you're finished trying to picture a world with people free
When you're finished looking up and the down is all you see
Then make your goal the first foxhole
And hide your head beneath your bed





Cause you won't be alone my friend you know who you'll be with
With persecution persecution persecution smith

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Seger's song "Persecution Smith" paint a picture of a man who is constantly armed and ready for a fight. He wakes up every morning and checks his loaded gun as if he is preparing to go to war. Interestingly, he plans to ambush the mailman even though it is only a joke to him. This showcases his in-built aggression and hostility towards the world - he is seemingly always on guard and believes everyone is out to get him.


The song then goes on to reveal that you can find him at every protest or march, watching from afar and occasionally, participating. He is not colorblind, but he sees everything as mere amusement and does not want to change any rules. He does have beliefs and opinions about how things should be, but he never takes any proactive step to improve the situation - this has led to him being stereotyped as indecisive and hypocritical.


The last verse seems to suggest that the song's narrator is speaking to someone who has lost their idealism, perhaps a former activist who has given up on hope. Bob Seger advises that at this point, they should put their safety first and find safety in hiding places like foxholes. Even here, with Persecution Smith, one cannot escape their problems.


Line by Line Meaning

He rises every morning but he don't look at the sun
Every day starts for him with fear and anxiety.


He reaches in the corner where he keeps his loaded gun
He is always armed and ready for his next move.


Then he checks the firing action, as he straps it to his chest
He meticulously assesses his weapons before hitting the streets.


Plans an ambush for the mailman, even though it's all in jest
He is so paranoid and delusional that he wants to harm others for no reason.


He's here he's there he's everywhere
He lurks around everywhere waiting to pounce.


He's found uptown and underground
He is seen everywhere from the wealthiest areas to the poorest.


Unlike my friend flicka you know he's not a myth
He's not just a figment of imagination or a legend, he's real and dangerous.


He's persecution, persecution, persecution smith
His only goal is to persecute and terrorize people, and he is not afraid to do it wherever and whenever he wants.


He's found at every protest march you'll see him looking on
He attends protests only to blame protestors for creating problems.


He'd soon join in to help but he thinks it's all in fun
He jokes about it because he isn't interested in helping.


Cause he isn't colorblind not to mention no one's fool
He is not colorblind, he is very aware of everyone's race, and he uses this to discriminate and segregate people.


He knows how things should be but he ain't out to change no rule
He is out to destroy the existing order rather than trying to improve it.


His eyes can't see like you and me
His vision is impaired by his extremist views.


His voice can't speak but only shreik
He only knows how to scream and shout.


His brain is like jelly his muscles they are stiff
His mind is soft and pliable, but his body is stiff and violent.


You can't walk down the street no more without him walking by
He is always present, making it almost impossible to avoid him.


You can't go to sleep at night without hearing him cry
His voice is always present in the background, making it hard to ignore him.


You can't read a newspaper without reading about him
His actions are newsworthy and reported continuously.


You can't escape him in the crowd for he will be among them
He blends in well, making it difficult to isolate him.


In Watts, California you know who he was with
Even in places with a history of violence or racism, he finds a way to make himself known.


When you're finished with your ideals
After you have given up your dreams of making the world a better place.


And you're finished with your dreams
When all your dreams have been shattered.


When you're finished your crusading and no longer hear the screams
When you have given up fighting and forgotten the cries of the oppressed.


When you're finished trying to picture a world with people free
When you have given up on the idea of a world without oppression and discrimination.


When you're finished looking up and the down is all you see
When you have lost hope and cannot see anything but despair.


Then make your goal the first foxhole
Then is the time to protect yourself no matter how hard it might be.


And hide your head beneath your bed
Then is the time to hide, even if it means hiding beneath the bed.


Cause you won't be alone my friend you know who you'll be with
Because no matter where you go or what you do, Persecution Smith will always be lurking around, waiting to pounce.


With persecution persecution persecution smith
Only with the realization that he is always present, can you take the necessary actions to protect yourself.




Writer(s): Bob Seger

Contributed by Charlotte L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Steven Harbers


on No Man's Land

I always liked 'No Man's Land' and equated it to all the times I'd get underway (ships at sea) especially when I was a younger Sailor. I always felt safer away from shore riding a wave that never crested.