Don't Tread on Me
Damn Yankees Lyrics


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Freedom rider
On a midnight cruise
On my way
I got nothing to lose
Sister mercy
Gonna take my hand
Lead me over
To the promised land
But you'd better not
Set your sights on me
'Cause it just might spoil your victory
Don't you dare
Don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try
And make some fool of me
Don't you dare
Don't you tread on me
We walked the gound
Of ancient ones
Lit the fire
With a rising sun
You and me
We got a full on rage
Won't ge fooled
No I won't be caged
Make love not war
Was you claim to fame
Now you're takin' me down
Well I won't be tamed
Don't you dare
Don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try
And make some fool of me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you dare
Don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me




Don't you dare forget your history
Don't you tread on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Damn Yankees' song "Don't Tread on Me" are a powerful statement about freedom and independence. The singer is a "freedom rider" who is on a "midnight cruise" with "nothing to lose." He is joined by Sister Mercy, who leads him to the "promised land," but warns others not to set their sights on him as it might "spoil their victory." He defiantly declares that he won't be fooled or caged, and that he won't be tamed by those who try to make a fool of him.


The song's lyrics reflect the common theme of rebellion against authority and standing up for one's values and beliefs. The "ancient ones" and "rising sun" mentioned in the lyrics could be allusions to indigenous cultures and the spirit of the American Revolution, respectively. The line "make love not war" could be interpreted as a call for peace and love over violence and conflict.


Overall, "Don't Tread on Me" is a powerful anthem of individual freedom and the struggle against oppression and injustice.


Line by Line Meaning

Freedom rider
I am a person who values my freedom and will actively fight for it


On a midnight cruise
I am traveling through the night, on a journey towards my goal


On my way, I got nothing to lose
I have no attachments or obligations holding me back, I'm willing to take risks to achieve my dreams


Sister mercy gonna take my hand, lead me over to the promised land
Someone else is helping me along the way, guiding me towards success and fulfillment


But you'd better not set your sights on me, 'cause it just might spoil your victory
If someone views me as their competitor or obstacle, they may find that defeating me will not bring them the satisfaction they were hoping for


Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
I refuse to be pushed around or mistreated by anyone


Don't you try and make some fool of me
I am not easily fooled or tricked, and I won't let someone manipulate me


We walked the ground of ancient ones, lit the fire with a rising sun
I have a connection to history and tradition, and I am drawing on that strength to fuel my progress


You and me, we got a full-on rage, won't be fooled, no I won't be caged
I am passionate and fiercely independent, I refuse to be bound or restricted by anyone else's expectations or limitations


Make love not war was your claim to fame, now you're takin' me down well I won't be tamed
My opponent may have had a reputation for being peaceful, but they are showing a different side now that they are in competition with me. However, I will not be intimidated or broken by their tactics


Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
I will not back down or surrender my goals to anyone else's whims or desires


Don't you tread on me, don't you try and make some fool of me
I am wary of anyone who would seek to undermine me, and I will not let them succeed


Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
I am asserting my right to live and work as I choose, without interference or oppression from others


Don't you tread on me, don't you dare forget your history
I have a respect for my own past and the history of my community, and I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in based on that heritage


Don't you tread on me
I am not afraid to fight for what is mine, and I will not be dominated or controlled by anyone else




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Demon34N

Oh!
As the eagle watches the vision of worlds collide
The monuments of a thousand deaths
The snakes are slithering
Feel the warm embrace
Feel the thunder slay
Feel the power of the sun
Conquering the lands of the undone

To fly into the sky
To seek the wisdom of light
In honor of the fallen, fallen
To protect her beloved fire
To the ancestors who watch, watch
The spear pierce the enemy

For your glory
Take this blood I sacrifice
For your glory
Per oculus aquila

Oh!
As the eagle watches the vision of worlds collide
The monuments of a thousand deaths
The snakes are slithering
Feel the warm embrace
Feel the thunder slay
Feel the power of the sun
Conquering the lands of the undone

Goddess of fertility
Master of war
King of all seas
Beholder of all time
Messenger of light

Jove!
My king
My sun

For your glory
Take this blood I sacrifice
For your glory
Per oculus aquila

-Ex Deo



All comments from YouTube:

@rickking6757

This is the greatest super group ever. Glad i got to see them in concert.

@martipeterson4079

Same!

@spaceboy54

What an amazing band!! Ted Nugent, Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw in the same group-WHO KNEW!!! Such a drag they only did TWO records! "Don't Tread On Me" and "Coming Of Age" are two of my favorite rockers of all time by ANYONE!

@6hypnone

Hell yes!

@daveryan4690

Totally agree!

@kristyndodge9238

๐Ÿ™‹โšกโœจ๐Ÿ’ฅ

@troyconley727

Oh yeah . I love Damn Yankees

@waltjones40

There is a third album, but the record company was sure that with grunge coming on the record wouldn't sell. Instead of releasing it, Warner Bros. offered them $1,000,000 NOT to release it. They took the money.

@davemoyer505

SUPERGROUP.๐Ÿ‘๐ŸŽธ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธโค๏ธ

@giannichristian8150

It's not about speed... it's about rhythm and pace... beautiful stuff from these guys!!!

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