DEAD OR ALIVE
Kite Eishiroh 木手永四郎 [Luke.C] Lyrics

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[spoken]
No mic check?

[Verse 1: see-Rayz Walz]
I see dead buffalos, on the plains of the horizon
Electromagnetic energy fields like M. Bison
Through the air flyin, like black crows in a circle
Before the people of the land start dyin

Nature's siren, even the rivers won't act right
The full moon was a flashlight, in my past life
When traveling the winding path at night
Unraveling the blinding blasting site
Chickens come home to roost and find dead buzzards
Layin next to the head of cousins, sisters and brothers
Fathers and mothers, daughters and sons
Only the vultures profit, I could still see the blood run
The slaughter of loved ones, hated for bein different
Elders were slain, strangled with their talismans
Killed the body, the spirit started driftin
Destroyed physically, but the souls were ever livin

[Chorus]
Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, then blamin me - thank you!

Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, and then blamin me - thank you!

[Verse 2: see-Rayz Walz]
I took my shahada (one) and gazed in the drama
God against the devils, Shaolin versus Lama
We fought felons, clashed with Magellan
Baby heads were crushed and bust like small melons
Wishin these demons would be baptized or banished
In my dream I woke up in Jamaica speakin Spanish
The night the earth cried when the good ship arrived
Blood on the shores transformed to Crimson Tide
I built with Crazy Horse, made a black sun spack
The smoke shack was beat on by drum back stack
The beetles were baffled, by the state of bondage
Showin love like Pocahontas savin John Smith
Convinced by the truth of the past, since the body splash
Used the Atlantic as a skeleton raft
Unafraid, I went to a cave to meditate
And talk to my celestial mind and elevate

[Chorus]
Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, then blamin me - thank you!

Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, and then blamin me - thank you!

[Verse 3: see-Rayz Walz]
The land was raped, scorn, torn and withered
Later on you would praise portraits of these killers (cheese!)
Even made holidays for this unholy act (Happy Thanksgiving)
I'm the voice of the dead! You can't hold me back (no!)
Dead buffalos, similar to us now
In the name of gain on these plains we get bust down
What up, HOW, you think there be reparations?
We been touched down, so make preparations (now)
Under water holdin breath I dodge piranha fish
With fright, wishin to die was tomorrow's wish
I heard the mountain weep, skulls smash against clif with sticks
We clash with the madmen, from the good ship
We did nothing but show love to a stranger
We were repaid with murder, rape and anger
Buffalos died, the lions would hide, the bears cried
Savagely speakin the pain of the tribe
This reality was actually the worst dream
The death of nature, I heard the earth scream
Dead buffalos - empty rivers and streams
Dead buffalos - too many killers and thieves

[Chorus]
Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, then blamin me - thank you!

Thank you! For takin my land and food
Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose

Thank you! For killin my seed
Givin me disease, and then blamin me - thank you!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kite Eishiroh 木手永四郎 [Luke.C]'s song DEAD OR ALIVE reflect on the historical mistreatment and colonization of indigenous people in America. see-Rayz Walz paints a vivid picture of the devastating effects of colonization on the buffalo, the land, and the people. He uses powerful metaphors such as "electromagnetic energy fields like M. Bison" and "black crows in a circle" to convey the ominous and destructive nature of colonization. The chorus of the song sarcastically thanks the colonizers for taking the land, raping women, killing the indigenous people, giving them diseases and then blaming them.

The second verse highlights the ongoing struggle of indigenous people against colonizers. The line "I'm the voice of the dead, you can't hold me back" is a powerful message of resistance and resilience. He also references historical figures such as Crazy Horse and Pocahontas who fought against the colonizers, showing the ongoing resistance against colonization. The final verse is a sobering reflection on the destruction of nature and the suffering of the animals and people affected by colonization.

Overall, the lyrics to DEAD OR ALIVE are a poignant reflection on the ongoing effects of colonization on indigenous people and the earth.

Line by Line Meaning

No mic check?
Asking if the microphone is working properly.

I see dead buffalos, on the plains of the horizon
The singer sees the consequences of colonialism and exploitation of natural resources.

Electromagnetic energy fields like M. Bison
Referring to the energy used to power the tools of colonialism and destruction.

Before the people of the land start dyin
Before the people affected by colonialism are killed.

Nature's siren, even the rivers won't act right
The natural environment is being destroyed and the consequences are affecting even the rivers.

Thank you! For takin my land and food
Sarcastically thanking those who have violently taken land and resources.

Thank you! For rapin my women, puttin me in a noose
Sarcastically thanking those who have perpetrated violence and abuse on marginalized groups.

Only the vultures profit, I could still see the blood run
Those in power are benefiting from the violence and exploitation, while the oppressed suffer incredibly.

Killed the body, the spirit started driftin
Although the physical bodies of those killed are gone, their spirits and memories continue on.

The land was raped, scorn, torn and withered
The violence and exploitation has left the land destroyed and barren.

Even made holidays for this unholy act (Happy Thanksgiving)
Critiquing the celebration of holidays that ignore the violence and genocide enacted against Indigenous peoples.

We did nothing but show love to a stranger
Indigenous peoples were welcoming to newcomers, but were met with violence and exploitation in return.

Dead buffalos - too many killers and thieves
The destruction caused by colonialism and capitalism has caused irreversible damage to communities and the environment.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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