The Ultimatum
Dethcentrik Lyrics


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"911 what's your emergency?"
"There's a student in the school with a gun!"
"I'm sorry mam, but your school district has a known bullying problem, that blood is on your hands."




Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Dethcentrik's song "The Ultimatum" set the scene for a tragic and all-too-familiar scenario in America: a school shooting. The lyrics present a conversation between a panicked caller reporting the presence of a gun in a school, and a 911 dispatcher whose response is tinged with bitter irony. The dispatcher suggests that the school district has failed to address a known problem of bullying, which may have contributed to the violent act now unfolding. The singer of the song seems to be urging us to think critically about the root causes of such senseless violence, rather than simply condemning the lone perpetrator.


The theme of bullying and its often-devastating psychological effects is woven throughout the lyrics of "The Ultimatum". The final lines of the song, delivered over a somber piano melody, repeat the phrase "they pushed him too far", reinforcing the idea that this shooter may not be entirely culpable for his actions. The song can be seen as a call to action to address the underlying issues that lead to school shootings, rather than simply reacting to the horrific events as they happen.


Line by Line Meaning

911 what's your emergency?
Asking the emergency services team about the emergency that requires immediate help.


There's a student in the school with a gun!
Informing the emergency services team about a student who has a gun in the school - indicating that the situation is dangerous.


I'm sorry mam, but your school district has a known bullying problem, that blood is on your hands.
Apologizing to the caller and pointing out that the school district has a known bullying problem - implying that the negligence of the authorities has led to the current situation, and they are indirectly responsible for the incident.




Contributed by Ellie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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