Who Will Survive In America
Kanye West Feat. Jay-Z Rick Ross Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver Lyrics
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And the new word to have is revolution
People don't even want to hear the preacher
Spill or spiel because God's whole card has been thoroughly piqued
And America is now blood and tears instead of milk and honey
The youngsters who were programmed to continue
Fucking up woke up one night digging
America stripped for bed and we had not all yet closed our eyes
The signs of truth were tattooed across our open ended vagina
We learned to our amazement untold tale of scandal
Two long centuries buried in the musty vault
Hosed down daily with a gagging perfume
America was a bastard the illegitimate daughter of the mother country
Whose legs were then spread around the world
And a rapist known as freedom, free doom
Democracy, liberty, and justice were revolutionary code names
That preceded the bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling
In the mother country's crotch
What does Webster say about soul?
All I want is a good home and a wife
And a children and some food to feed them every night
After all is said and done build a new route to China if they'll have you
Who will survive in America?
Who will survive in America?
Who will survive in America?
Who will survive in America?
Kanye West's song "Who Will Survive In America" examines the current state of America and its government. The lyrics point out how the country is no longer the land of opportunity and freedom but instead has turned into a place of violence and corruption. The first verse describes how society is turned upside down, where revolution is the new fad and people no longer want to listen to preachers because they know the truth about America.
The second verse highlights how the American Dream is no longer a reality for most Americans. The idea of the country being a land of milk and honey has now turned into blood and tears. The youth who were supposed to carry on the legacy of the country have become disillusioned and are now digging up the stories of the past, where historic figures like Paul Revere and Nat Turner are seen as heroes.
The third and final verse delves deeper into the origins of America and uncovers a dark history of scandal and oppression. The "signs of truth" are compared to tattoos across the "open-ended vagina" of America. This line is a metaphor for how the truth is being exposed and cannot be hidden any longer. The lyrics mention how the American democracy, liberty, and justice were once revolutionary code names but now only precede the "bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling in the mother country's crotch."
Overall, "Who Will Survive In America" is a critical analysis of the American society and government. Kanye West's lyrics are a wakeup call to a country that has strayed far from its original values and ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
Us living as we do upside down
The current state of society is chaotic and upside down.
And the new word to have is revolution
Revolution is becoming a popular concept and phrase.
People don't even want to hear the preacher
People are rejecting traditional authority figures and their messages.
Spill or spiel because God's whole card has been thoroughly piqued
The established power structures based on religion are losing their grip and influence.
And America is now blood and tears instead of milk and honey
America is now a place of violence and suffering instead of prosperity.
The youngsters who were programmed to continue
The younger generation has been conditioned to perpetuate the status quo.
Fucking up woke up one night digging
An awakening is happening due to systemic flaws and mistakes.
Paul Revere and Nat Turner as the good guys
Historical figures previously seen as villains are now being seen as heroes.
America stripped for bed and we had not all yet closed our eyes
The truth of America's history is being exposed, despite attempts to keep it hidden.
The signs of truth were tattooed across our open ended vagina
The truth has been ignored and suppressed, but is now unmistakably visible.
We learned to our amazement untold tale of scandal
Many shocking and hidden scandals have been uncovered.
Two long centuries buried in the musty vault
The truth has been hidden for a very long time.
Hosed down daily with a gagging perfume
A facade of pleasantness and positivity is applied to cover up the truth.
America was a bastard the illegitimate daughter of the mother country
America is a product of colonialism and exploitation.
Whose legs were then spread around the world
The negative effects of American imperialism have been felt globally.
And a rapist known as freedom, free doom
The concept of freedom has been used to justify violence and oppression.
Democracy, liberty, and justice were revolutionary code names
The ideals of democracy, liberty, and justice have been used as propaganda and disguise for ulterior motives.
That preceded the bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling bubbling
A warning that the current state of society will result in violent unrest.
In the mother country's crotch
In the center and source of colonial power and oppression.
What does Webster say about soul?
Rhetorical question about the true value and meaning of human life.
All I want is a good home and a wife
A simple desire for a happy and fulfilling life.
And a children and some food to feed them every night
Desire for basic necessities and provision for family.
After all is said and done build a new route to China if they'll have you
Escape from the current system and find a better life elsewhere if possible.
Who will survive in America?
Questioning who will be able to endure and prosper in American society.
Who will survive in America?
Repeated questioning of survival in America with a sense of urgency.
Who will survive in America?
Continued questioning of who will be able to navigate and succeed in tumultuous times.
Who will survive in America?
Final questioning of who will be able to overcome the systemic issues plaguing America.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF BHASKER, KANYE WEST, GIL SCOTT-HERON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind