Current members:
Nathan Gray - lead vocals (1994–present)
Josh Latshaw - guitar (1994–present)
Chad Istvan - guitar (1994–present)
Rob Ehrenbrand - bass (2004–2011, 2013–present)
Chris Rakus - bass (2013–present)
Jared Shavelson - drums (2013–present)
Former members:
Darrell Hyde - bass guitar (1994–1999)
Rob Avery - bass guitar (1999–2004)
Marc Krupanski - bass guitar (2011–2013)
Matt Krupanski - drums (1994–2013)
Dan Pelic - drums (2013)
Lee Dickerson - lead guitar (2013)
Dying on Principle
BoySetsFire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many dead but you wear your morals on your sleeve for all to see
And the billboards lie denial thrives
Which is the crime and which is the lie
And who defines it
Policing the oppressed
While the real pushers run frantic with their poisons
Corporate sponsors will see to it that the right product kills us off
Despite poor intentions
Supplying the lesser class with their own crucifixion
Martyrs for your statistics
And every death is on your hands
Designed to stain diseased and bled
The first verse of BoySetsFire's song "Dying on Principle" tackles the issue of the drug war in America, criticizing the fact that while many casualties have occurred as a result of these drugs, those in charge of enforcing the laws are more concerned about showing off their supposed morals. The lyrics mention how the denials on the matter thrive, with people on either side of the argument promoting their own beliefs as truth without considering the real facts. The second verse speaks of "policing the oppressed," creating the sense that those who may be struggling with drug addiction are being targeted and oppressed rather than helped.
The chorus highlights the irony that is present in this situation - even as those in power try to stop drug use and save lives, the real "pushers" of drugs are running rampant, with corporate sponsors backing them up. The lesser class is being supplied with their own "crucifixion," meaning that they are being given the tools they need to destroy themselves, rather than being provided with the help and support they need to conquer their addiction. Those in power are seen as only interested in using these deaths as statistics, rather than actively working towards a solution.
The final lines of the song metaphorically connote the way society has created an environment in which individuals are almost forced to fall into addiction, with the idea of being designed to "stain, diseased, and bled" conveying the idea that the infrastructure of society needs to change in order for addiction to truly be eradicated.
Line by Line Meaning
Legislate forget the facts of your drug war casualty
You pass laws and disregard the real impact of your drug war on people's lives
So many dead but you wear your morals on your sleeve for all to see
Despite the death toll, you showcase your supposed moral superiority to everyone
And the billboards lie denial thrives
Public messages mislead us and denial of the real harm continues
Which is the crime and which is the lie
It's hard to say whether the crime is what's illegal or what's permitted by those in power
And who defines it Policing the oppressed
Those in power define the terms of the debate while the oppressed bear the brunt of oppressive policies
While the real pushers run frantic with their poisons
The people who actually profit from drug trade are busy making money while you focus on punishing the users
Corporate sponsors will see to it that the right product kills us off
Corporate interests prioritize profits over people's health and well-being
Infection will thrive Despite poor intentions
Despite your supposed good intentions, your policies often backfire and lead to more harm
Supplying the lesser class with their own crucifixion
Your policies disproportionately harm people who are already disadvantaged
Martyrs for your statistics And every death is on your hands
You use the deaths of people as statistics to justify your policies, but ultimately it's your actions that cause those deaths
Designed to stain diseased and bled
Your policies are designed to hurt and kill people who are already struggling and suffering
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CHARLES W. ISTVAN, JOSHUA LATSHAW, MATTHEW KRUPANSKI, NATHAN GRAY, ROBERT W. AVERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind