The trio is currently ranked as the highest-selling female musical group in the USA, according to RIAA Gold & Platinum album certifications. As of 2012, The Chicks had won 13 Grammy Awards. While The Chicks continues, Maguire and Robison are writing and recording as Court Yard Hounds as of Feb 2010. The Dixie Chicks renamed the band in 2020 to The Chicks dropping Dixie from the official name as the name had the word 'Dixie' referencing the American Mason–Dixon line, which separated the free and slave-owning southern states.
Robin Lynn Macy was an original bandmember, as was Laura Lynch. Macy left the group in 1992, while Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
The group aroused considerable controversy for publicly denouncing President George W. Bush and the imminent invasion of Iraq during the European leg of their Top of the World tour supporting Home. Many country music stations immediately pulled their music from the air, and the band received criticism from many corners of the media.
-15- I Hope
Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou shall not kill
I don't wanna hear nothing else about killing
And that it's God's will
'Cause our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
And do it differently
[Chorus]
I hope for more love, more joy and laughter
I hope we'll have more than we'll ever need
I hope we'll have more 'happy ever after'
I hope we can all live more fearlessly
And we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope
Oh, Rosie; her man - he gets too rough
That's all she can say: is he's a good man
He don't mean no harm
He was just brought up that way
But our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
It's okay for us to disagree
We can work it out lovingly
[Chorus]
There must be a way to change what's going on
No, I don't have all the answers
[Chorus]
I hope, I hope, I hope
In "I Hope," the Dixie Chicks criticize the normalization of violence and argue for a more peaceful world. The song is framed by a sermon the lead singer hears, in which the pastor declares that killing is against God's will. This statement inspires the singer to call for an end to violence, explaining that children watch their parents and follow their example. She cites an example of a woman who is verbally and possibly physically abused, but insists that her abuser is a "good man" who doesn't mean any harm. This message reinforces the idea that violence is normalized and we need to break the cycle.
In the chorus, the singer expresses her hope for a world with more love, joy, and laughter, and where people can live without fear and pain. She acknowledges that there may not be easy answers to creating this world, but she remains hopeful that positive change is possible.
The song is a call to action that highlights the importance of setting a good example for future generations. By emphasizing the power of love over violence and the importance of breaking the cycle of normalized violence, the Dixie Chicks make a powerful argument for a more peaceful world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday morning, I heard the preacher say
The singer heard a religious leader speak about the commandment 'thou shall not kill'
Thou shall not kill
The commandment to not take another human's life
I don't wanna hear nothing else about killing
The singer does not want to hear any further discussion or justification for taking human life
And that it's God's will
The artist does not believe that a higher power would condone killing
'Cause our children are watching us
Children look and learn from adults as a model for behavior and beliefs
They put their trust in us
Children rely on adults for safety, care, and guidance
They're gonna be like us
Children are likely to adopt similar behaviors and beliefs as the adults they have learned from
So let's learn from our history
The artist urges people to consider the past and the lessons that can be learned from it
And do it differently
Based on the knowledge gained from history, humans should choose a different path forward
I hope for more love, more joy and laughter
The artist wants a future with greater positive emotions and relationships
I hope we'll have more than we'll ever need
The singer hopes for abundance and that basic needs will always be met
I hope we'll have more 'happy ever after'
The artist desires a future with more happy endings and long-term satisfaction
I hope we can all live more fearlessly
The singer wants a future where people have less fear and are more willing to take risks
And we can lose all the pain and misery
The singer wants to eliminate the negative emotions and hardships that people experience
Oh, Rosie; her man - he gets too rough
The singer introduces a character named Rosie, whose partner is violent
That's all she can say: is he's a good man
Rosie only has positive things to say about her partner, despite his violent behavior
He don't mean no harm
Rosie believes that her partner's behavior is unintentional or justified in some way
He was just brought up that way
Rosie excuses her partner's behavior by blaming his upbringing or environment
But our children are watching us
The singer reminds the audience that children are observing adult behavior, including violent behavior within relationships
It's okay for us to disagree
The artist believes that it is normal and natural for humans to have differing opinions and beliefs
We can work it out lovingly
Even when people disagree, they should aim to solve problems with love, respect and kindness.
There must be a way to change what's going on
The artist is hopeful that problems can be solved and conditions improved, even if the solution is unclear
No, I don't have all the answers
The singer acknowledges the complexity of the situation and that there is no easy solution
I hope, I hope, I hope
The artist concludes with the expression of their hopeful wishes for the future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARTHA MAGUIRE, NATALIE MAINES, KEVIN (KEB' MO') MOORE, EMILY ROBISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billbartuccio4845
How appropriate during this difficult Time! Love these women.
@yourqueendee88
This has a beautiful blues sound and the lyrics are powerful. I just love these ladies so much. Dixie Chicks, if you ever read my comment, thank you for all you do to inspire others like myself ❤️
@meganpolka-dot9477
I HOPE, to see the Dixie Chicks in July 22, 2023. In Arkansas.
I will always be a fan.
@maryhorsley2606
Natile, I bet you had no idea your music would take a foot hold on humanity this many years after it was released! Much LOVE SIS!!!!!!
@orpheus69420
NOT READY 2 MAKE NICE STARTING FROM THE MOMENT OF MY CONCEPTION ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THE PRESENT MOMENT
@tracie1122
Love it! I'm glad you ladies are back!
@paulstokes393
Perfect for our times. Thanks so much. Peace x
@aprilbagley9797
The Chicks are Back and here to stay!
@lisarice4402
@cant stop - no they never left, but, they couldn't really record either. Remember Natalie's divorce was ripping apart her finances? She also wanted to make certain her ex couldn't claim the group's songs as his own, or make money from them.
@terrydjinva
This song is beautiful.