Democracy
Jeff Fisher Lyrics

It's coming through a hole in the air
Democracy is arriving mysteriously, and no one quite knows where it comes from.

From those nights in Tiananmen Square
The protest movement that emerged in China and around the world inspires this democracy.

It's coming from the feel
This democracy is based on how people feel, on the intuitions of the people.

That this ain't exactly real
People are unsure if democracy is really happening since they feel it is not quite real.

Or it's real, but it ain't exactly there
Democracy is seen as having some reality but is not yet complete or not entirely present.

From the wars against disorder
Democracy emerges in response to the ongoing conflict with ways of life that are perceived as being chaotic.

From the sirens night and day
Democracy is being born amidst the constant din of conflict and the struggle to define what is right and wrong.

From the fires of the homeless
The strife and agony of the less fortunate are inspiring the birth of democracy.

From the ashes of the gay
The oppression of LGBTQ+ people is serving as a catalyst for the emergence of democracy.

Democracy is coming to the USA
The song's title and main theme are being repeated throughout the song. It is about the emergence of democracy in the USA.

It's coming through a crack in the wall
The emergence of democracy is not occurring in a straightforward manner, but in a way that is slowly revealing itself gradually as it breaks the walls of oppression.

On a visionary flood of alcohol
The birth of democracy happens as a moment of hope and inspiration that is often accompanied by intoxication.

From the staggering account
While the songwriter does not completely grasp the message of the Sermon on the Mount, there is still something staggering and captivating about it inspiring the emergence of democracy.

Of the Sermon on the Mount
The Biblical teachings of Jesus Christ are being associated with the coming of democracy to the USA.

It's coming from the silence
Democracy is emerging through the quiet moments of introspection.

On the dock of the bay,
It is in the less glamorous moments of life where democracy will truly reveal itself.

From the brave, the bold, the battered
Democracy is emerging from those who have been brave and bold, but also those who have been hurt and battered by society.

Heart of Chevrolet
The car or marketing campaigns of Chevrolet may be conceived to represent the core of America, especially in the Midwest.

It's coming from the sorrow in the street
Democracy emerges from the pains found in the most challenged aspects of society, the sorrow found in public squares, streets.

The holy places where the races meet
The emergence of democracy comes from the meeting points of different races, the places where everyone should feel welcome, including churches or other faith facilities.

From the homicidal bitchin'
The bickering and the conflicts between people are serving to give birth to democracy.

That goes down in every kitchen
The problems of society are not large-scale only, but they also exist within the small, everyday lives of people, often in kitchens.

To determine who will serve and who will eat
Democracy is emerging because of the need to be able to ensure that all people are fed and served equitably.

From the wells of disappointment
Democracy is emerging from the feeling of losing hope or becoming disappointed about life.

Where the women kneel to pray
Democracy is also emerging from the power of the prayers of women, who often feel powerless in male-dominated societies.

For the grace of God in the desert here
People are invoking a divine power, to ask for help to bring the hopes of democracy to the USA, even in places that seem off-limits, like a desert.

And the desert far away:
The desert can be a physical place or a metaphor, and it represents far, remote, and disadvantaged peoples and cultures.

Sail on, sail on O mighty Ship of State To the Shores of Need Past the Reefs of Greed Through the Squalls of Hate Sail on, sail on, sail on, sail on
The song pleads for the nation to keep moving forward and navigate its challenges, both internal and external, using the analogy of a ship.

It's coming to America first
The United States of America takes center stage in the emergence of democracy, as a beacon of hope for people all over the world.

The cradle of the best and of the worst
The USA is where the project of democracy began, with all of its ideals as well as its shortcomings.

It's here they got the range
The USA is a place of great diversity - diversity of landscape, of cultures, of races and religions, and economic diversity.

And the machinery for change
The machinery of change is understood to be within people, rather than the state or the government.

And it's here they got the spiritual thirst
The USA is a place where people are particularly keen to find higher purpose and meaning in their existence, a thirst that can lead to the birth of democracy.

It's here the family's broken
The USA has become a society where nuclear families have been broken apart.

And it's here the lonely say
The USA is a place where loneliness is prevalent, and people feel trapped and forgotten within larger systems.

That the heart has got to open
The realization grows that people have to connect to their humanity, and opening one's heart is a step towards democracy.

In a fundamental way
This lyrics mean that it is time to confront fundamental issues like racism, inequality, bias, and economic disparity, to start re-evaluating the human rights in America.

It's coming from the women and the men
Democracy is emerging from people in all shapes and forms, regardless of their gender identity.

O baby, we'll be making love again
This is a plea for people to come together, to unite and to support each other, to create a new hope for the future.

We'll be going down so deep The river's going to weep,
People will experience an emotional catharsis and transformation that will profoundly impact their souls and minds.

And the mountain's going to shout Amen It's coming like the tidal flood Beneath the lunar sway Imperial, mysterious In amorous array Democracy is coming to the USA
Nature and the cosmos themselves are acknowledging the advent of democracy, which arrives like a tidal wave bringing new energy and mystic powers to the country, in a sentimentally ambitious way.

I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean
The songwriter has a deep sense of affection for the USA or the idea of democracy, even though it can sometimes be overly emotional.

I love the country but I can't stand the scene
The songwriter loves the idea of a free society, but is disillusioned by the lack of progress within contemporary society, filled with racism, inequality, and suffering.

And I'm neither left or right
The songwriter does not adhere to any political ideology.

I'm just staying home tonight
The songwriter is choosing to reflect on his feelings and ideas rather than participate actively in politics.

Getting lost in that hopeless little screen
The songwriter is disillusioned by popular television, which he feels fails to tell the true stories of America and her people, instead presenting a false narrative that perpetuates hate and fear.

But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags
The songwriter's stubbornness and refusal to give up on hope and democracy are as strong as the unyielding nature of garbage bags that refuse to be broken down by time.

That Time cannot decay I'm junk but I'm still holding up This little wild bouquet Democracy is coming to the USA
No matter how insignificant, marginalized, or trashed democracy is, it will continue to stand the test of time because of the persistent effort to move towards equality and justice for all in America.