Bullshit Tradition
Dropdead Lyrics
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and you support the industry from the corpse on which you feed.
A legacy of suffering from a business built on pain
a history of butchery and I hold you to blame
you uphold the slaughter when you support the cause
a tradition wrapped in bloodshed and it's no one's fault but yours.
In Bullshit Tradition, the hardcore punk band Dropdead rages against the meat industry and its supporters. The opening line refers to the disturbing reality that many animals are raised in cramped, terrible conditions, a reality that is often hidden from view. The phrase "abattoir of greed" highlights the fact that the meat industry is driven by profit, often leading to inhumane treatment of animals. The following line makes it clear that the song is addressed to consumers who continue to support the industry even though they know the truth about the suffering involved. Dropdead points out that this legacy of suffering is not accidental or incidental, but rather a core feature of an industry built on the exploitation and killing of living beings. The band is holding listeners accountable for their role in upholding this system.
The song's title, Bullshit Tradition, is itself a politically charged statement, implicitly rejecting the notion that the mistreatment of animals is an acceptable or inevitable part of human history or culture. This theme continues with the line "a tradition wrapped in bloodshed." By framing these practices as a tradition, the song challenges the idea that cultural or historical norms can excuse current practices that cause harm. Dropdead makes it clear that the responsibility for choosing to support the meat industry is solely on the consumer, regardless of cultural or societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
multinational death camp, and abattoir of greed
The meatpacking industry is characterized as an international location of mass murder of animals and a slaughterhouse motivated by profit.
and you support the industry from the corpse on which you feed.
As a consumer, you finance and sustain the meat production industry, which is solely driven by the supply for meat products which are derived from the animal's remains that you consume.
A legacy of suffering from a business built on pain
The meat industry has a heritage of causing immense pain and suffering on animals for the purpose of driving their business model.
a history of butchery and I hold you to blame
The slaughtering of animals is a historical practice that has implicated you in their actions because of your continued patronage.
you uphold the slaughter when you support the cause
You are maintaining the slaughter of animals through your active support and financial funding of the meat industry.
a tradition wrapped in bloodshed and it's no one's fault but yours.
The tradition of slaughtering animals for consumption has been built on bloodshed, and you are responsible for its continuation due to your active participation in the meat industry.
Contributed by Jake V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.