Starts With Them Ends With Us
Dan Mangan Lyrics
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Don't speak until you've caught your breath
Don't sleep
Don't sleep unless you're safe in bed
Just pray in the night they take someone instead
The hills are alive with the sounds of your head
Please dear be sure of us and ours
Don't fear
Don't fear the worst in case it comes
Just pray in the night that they don't take your love
The hills are alive with the sounds of their guns
You're getting use to 'em
What happens next
What happens next
East to west
Lunatics
And it started slow
Ends in a rush
Starts with them
And ends with us
Just pray in the night these walls are enough
The hills are alive and the rivers show blood
The cancer is wide and it's taken my trust
Do what we will and we will what we must
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The song “Starts With Them Ends With Us” by Dan Mangan is a poignant commentary on the way society as a whole tends to focus on self-interest and ignore the broader implications of our actions. The opening lines of the song urge the listener not to speak or sleep until they have regained their composure, suggesting that the world can be a difficult and dangerous place. The next verse outlines the need for people to be sure of themselves and their loved ones, but to also be aware of the possibility of the worst occurring.
The chorus of the song is where the real message comes through. The listener is urged to “pray in the night” that those who might suffer are spared, that the sounds of guns firing in the hills will not claim another victim. The guitar solo following this chorus is a beautiful mix of sadness and hope that perfectly encapsulates the tone of the song. The provocative lines “The cancer is wide and it's taken my trust/Do what we will and we will what we must” serve to remind the listener that the world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, but that people still have the power to make a difference.
Overall, Dan Mangan’s “Starts With Them Ends With Us” is a powerful and thought-provoking song that asks the listener to consider their place in the world and how their actions might affect others. It’s a message of hope and empowerment, a call to be aware of the problems facing the world, but also an invitation to be part of the solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't speak
Stay quiet
Don't speak until you've caught your breath
Take a moment to find your inner peace before speaking
Don't sleep
Stay alert
Don't sleep unless you're safe in bed
Stay vigilant until you're in a secured place
Just pray in the night they take someone instead
Hope that someone else is targeted instead of you
The hills are alive with the sounds of your head
Your thoughts are racing in your mind
Please dear
I implore you
Please dear be sure of us and ours
Trust in our intentions and our collective interests
Don't fear
Don't panic
Don't fear the worst in case it comes
Don't anticipate the worst outcome
Just pray in the night that they don't take your love
Hope that your loved ones are not harmed
The hills are alive with the sounds of their guns
The sound of gunshots echoes through the hills
You're getting use to 'em
You're becoming accustomed to the sound of gunfire
What happens next
What comes after this?
East to west
Across the entire region
Lunatics
Crazy people
And it started slow
It began gradually
Ends in a rush
Ends quickly and abruptly
Starts with them
The problem starts with someone else
And ends with us
But we are the ones who will face the consequences
Just pray in the night these walls are enough
Hope that the barriers in place will suffice to protect you
The hills are alive and the rivers show blood
The violence is widespread and visible
The cancer is wide and it's taken my trust
The corruption is vast and has destroyed my faith in the system
Do what we will and we will what we must
We will do whatever it takes to survive and protect ourselves
Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC
Written by: DAN MANGAN, GORDON GRDINA, JOHN WALSH, KENTON LOEWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind