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I Am Truth
Hate Dept. Lyrics
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We try to win the streets back; we keep on losing.
Your mouth was free; your words belong to me.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
We try to keep the heat on but never break the chill.
The child tries not to fidget; "Take your sucker and sit still!"
You words were free; your thoughts belong to me.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
Your leader is there to break your will but your mind is a weapon if you've got one.
Scratching for that higher higher higher high.
Your thoughts were free; your actions belong to me.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
Your mouth was free; your words belong to me.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
The opening lines of the song “I Am Truth” by Hate Dept. sets the tone for an angry and nihilistic exploration of the dehumanizing effects of power and self-interest. The verses express the frustration of trying to fight back against oppressive forces that seem to be intractable and unconquerable. The imagery of a fire that cannot be put out and a street that cannot be won conveys a sense of futility and despair. The chorus, “Your pain is my reward; I am truth,” reveals the singer to be a malevolent force that thrives on the suffering of others. The repetition of the line “Your [mouth/words/thoughts/actions] belong to me” reinforces the idea that the singer is a master manipulator who seeks to control every aspect of his victims’ lives. The image of a child being told to “take your sucker and sit still” suggests the way in which power can crush the spirit of even the most innocent and vulnerable.
The second stanza shifts focus slightly to explore the role of leaders in perpetuating oppressive systems. The line “Your leader is there to break your will” implies that those in power actively seek to undermine the ability of their subjects to express themselves freely. However, the closing lines suggest that even in the face of such overwhelming forces, there is still the potential for resistance. The idea that “your mind is a weapon if you’ve got one” implies that a person’s thoughts and ideas can be used to fight back against the forces of control and oppression.
Overall, “I Am Truth” is a powerful and somewhat disturbing reflection on the nature of power, control, and oppression. The imagery is bleak and unrelentingly dark, but the lyrics also suggest that there is still room for hope and resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
We try to put the fire out; it keeps on burning.
Despite our efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire persists.
We try to win the streets back; we keep on losing.
Even though we attempt to reclaim the streets, we keep losing instead.
Your mouth was free; your words belong to me.
While you may have had freedom of speech, your words are now under my control.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
The suffering you experience is what I desire, as I am the embodiment of truth.
We try to keep the heat on but never break the chill.
Our attempts to turn up the heat are futile, as the cold remains unbroken.
The child tries not to fidget; "Take your sucker and sit still!"
The child struggles to remain still and focused, but is scolded to sit quietly with a piece of candy.
Your words were free; your thoughts belong to me.
Although you may have been free to speak your mind, your thoughts are now under my control.
Your leader is there to break your will but your mind is a weapon if you've got one.
While your leader seeks to crush your spirit, your mind can serve as a weapon if you possess the strength to wield it.
Scratching for that higher higher higher high.
Striving tirelessly for a greater, elusive sense of euphoria.
Your thoughts were free; your actions belong to me.
Even though you may have been free to think for yourself, your actions are now under my control.
Your mouth was free; your words belong to me.
Despite being able to speak freely, your words are now subject to my control.
Your pain is my reward; I am truth.
The pain you endure is what I crave, as I am the embodiment of truth.
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.