Hand Made Hard Times Handed Back
Dillinger Four Lyrics
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Faded pictures of forgotten times, of endless misery
I lit a candle, but I could not know why
We didn't talk about it anymore, the page already turned
Of all the things they had tried to teach, indifference is what I learned
Light a candle and you've done all you can
Seen iron-wrought convictions as they've bent
Want to believe that it's not on your hands
So easy to pretend there's someone else who gives a damn
So easy, but so hard to forget
Well, I've watched as blind eyes turned away again
Seen iron-wrought convictions as they've bent
You can change the channel, but it
Doesn't change the end
It looks like
Business as usual again
Drowned in your culture of peace
You turn your back to the beast
It's so easy to do
It's so easy
Drowned in your culture of peace
You turn your back to the beast
It's so easy to do
It's so easy
Drowned in your culture of peace
You turn your back to the beast
It's so easy to do
It's so easy
The song "Hand Made Hard Times Handed Back" by Dillinger Four is a reflection on the cruelty of the world and the ease with which people can turn a blind eye to it. The lyrics reference the singer's childhood realization of the harsh realities of life, and the subsequent apathy they learned in response.
The singer notes that they lit a candle, symbolizing a desire to bring light to the darkness, but didn't truly understand why they were doing so. As they grew older, conversations about the difficult topics they had initially exposed themselves to faded away, and the singer learned to be indifferent to the suffering they saw around them.
The lyrics call out the hypocrisy of those who claim to care about social justice but fail to take action. The singer notes that it's all too easy to believe that someone else will take care of the problem or that it's not their responsibility. The repetition of the line "drowned in your culture of peace" speaks to the idea that people have become numb to violence and suffering and that a false sense of tranquility has replaced any real sense of empathy or action.
Overall, the song is a call to action, imploring listeners to open their eyes and recognize the injustices of the world, even when it's uncomfortable to do so. It's a reminder that it's not enough to light a candle and consider our work done; we must actively engage with the problems around us to make any real change.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just a kid when I found out how cruel the world could be
At a young age, I learned about the harsh realities and suffering that exist in the world.
Faded pictures of forgotten times, of endless misery
My memories are filled with bleak images of a time of misery that nobody seems to remember anymore.
I lit a candle, but I could not know why
I tried to make a difference and help in my small way, but didn't fully understand the issue or how to solve it.
We didn't talk about it anymore, the page already turned
We stopped discussing the problem because it seemed to have been forgotten and was no longer relevant.
Of all the things they had tried to teach, indifference is what I learned
Despite being taught about compassion and empathy, I was only able to learn and practice apathy and indifference towards others' suffering.
Light a candle and you've done all you can
People sometimes think that by doing something small like lighting a candle, they have done all they can to help solve the problem.
Well, I've watched as blind eyes turned away again
I have witnessed people ignoring or avoiding the issue altogether, reluctant to face the problem or help out.
Seen iron-wrought convictions as they've bent
People who were once determined to create change eventually gave in to the pressure of the status quo and abandoned their principles.
Want to believe that it's not on your hands
It's easier to believe that the problem lies with someone else, so you don't have to feel responsible for not doing anything.
So easy to pretend there's someone else who gives a damn
It's effortless to assume that there's always someone else out there who cares enough to solve the problem, so it's not up to you to do anything.
So easy, but so hard to forget
It's easy to forget about the problem and carry on with your life, but deep down, you know it's not right or just to do so.
You can change the channel, but it
You can choose not to see or hear about the problem anymore, but that doesn't make it disappear or solve anything.
Doesn't change the end
Ignoring the problem won't change the negative outcomes or consequences that will eventually arise if nothing is done.
It looks like
It appears that, despite the problem being acknowledged, not much has changed or been done to address it.
Business as usual again
Everything seems to be carrying on as it always has, despite the suffering and injustices that still exist all around us.
Drowned in your culture of peace
Society is so consumed with the idea of peace and tranquility that it ignores or downplays injustices, violence, and suffering.
You turn your back to the beast
People avoid confronting and challenging the oppressive structures and systems that perpetuate suffering and injustice.
It's so easy to do
Ignoring the problem and carrying on with life is much easier than facing the difficult realities of the world and trying to make a difference.
It's so easy
Fighting the problem and creating real change is difficult, and it's much easier to give in to the status quo or pretend that the problem doesn't exist.
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.