Evil Seeds
Dog Traders Lyrics
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Unafraid to win
Buy you up and use you up
And sell you for your skin
Some of them are restless
Some of them are tired
Some of them will praise you as they roast you on a fire
Birds can't see what people see
They're flying in the air
Evil seeds are quick to breed
They'll leave you cold and bare
Who came back to the doorstep
Of an ancient family tree?
Getting his wages in iron and sulphur
Copper, gold, and steel
Some of us are filthy
Some of us are clean
All of us are doomed and fleshy entropy machines
Birds can't see what people see
They're flying in the air
Evil seeds are quick to breed
They'll leave you cold and bare
The meanest grandmother lives the longest
The meanest grandfather lives the longest
The meanest uncle lives the longest
The meanest brother lives the longest
Birds can't see what people see
They're flying in the air
Evil seeds are quick to breed
They'll leave you cold and bare
Birds can't see what people see
They're flying in the air
Evil seeds are quick to breed
They'll leave you cold and bare
The song "Evil Seeds" by Dog Traders delves into the concept of exploitation and oppression of a certain group of people, whom the lyrics describe as a geography of people unafraid to win - people who would buy others and use them up, ultimately selling them for their skin. This imagery of skin-selling invokes visuals of slavery and the African American experience during the slave trade era. The song also makes a reference to "evil seeds" which are quick to breed and will leave one cold and bare. This is symbolic of the idea that hate and malice are quick to spread, causing destruction and leaving people vulnerable and alone.
The second verse of the song seems to allude to mining and the exploitation of natural resources; with words such as "getting his wages in iron and sulfur, copper, gold, and steel" describing how some people are exploited for their hard work and the wealth they create. The final verse of the song signifies the idea that everyone is doomed to entropy, where over time everything will decline into chaos and disorder, a theme that implies feelings of hopelessness.
The chorus, repeated multiple times in the song, talks about how birds can't see what people see; evil seeds are described as quick to breed and are known to leave one ultimately cold and bare. The song's ominous tone, haunting backing vocals and meaningful lyrics contribute to its powerful message.
Line by Line Meaning
A geography of a people
The location and characteristics of a group of individuals
Unafraid to win
Fearless in their pursuit of victory
Buy you up and use you up
Acquire and exploit someone for their benefit
And sell you for your skin
Trade or sell someone for their assets or value
Some of them are restless
Certain members of the group are agitated or unsettled
Some of them are tired
Certain members of the group are fatigued or weary
Some of them will praise you as they roast you on a fire
Some individuals will flatter and deceive you while simultaneously causing harm
Birds can't see what people see
Avian creatures do not possess the same perspective or insight as human beings
They're flying in the air
They move through the atmosphere using wings
Evil seeds are quick to breed
Negative qualities or tendencies tend to proliferate rapidly
They'll leave you cold and bare
The negative consequences of these traits will leave you exposed and without protection
Who came back to the doorstep
Someone returned to the residence
Of an ancient family tree?
The familial lineage of distant predecessors
Getting his wages in iron and sulphur
Earning compensation in the form of elemental substances
Copper, gold, and steel
Other metals which may be of value or importance
Some of us are filthy
Several individuals are unclean or morally corrupt
Some of us are clean
Other members of the group are pure or virtuous
All of us are doomed and fleshy entropy machines
Despite our differences and qualities, we all face a predetermined fate of bodily decay and decline
The meanest grandmother lives the longest
The nastiest or most unkind grandmother endures for the greatest length of time
The meanest grandfather lives the longest
The most cruel or malicious grandfather survives for an extended period
The meanest uncle lives the longest
The least compassionate or pleasant uncle persists for a prolonged period
The meanest brother lives the longest
The most unpleasant or malevolent brother has the longest lifespan
Birds can't see what people see
Avian creatures do not possess the same perspective or insight as human beings
They're flying in the air
They move through the atmosphere using wings
Evil seeds are quick to breed
Negative qualities or tendencies tend to proliferate rapidly
They'll leave you cold and bare
The negative consequences of these traits will leave you exposed and without protection
Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chucknorrissaurus4398
was trying to remember a lyric from this album and really had to dig deep to find this and share with some dear friends. thank you for sharing!