Israel
Mason & Fenn Lyrics
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Promising the promised land
Corinthians, Corinthians
Dancing on unbroken burning sand
Where no trees or living things would grow
Selling the romantic dream
Phoenicians, Phoenicians
Wrong place and wrong time
Goodbye, good thing
Africa's a lonely place
Goodbye, good thing
Missionaries in position pray
Oh Israel
Have you lost what other never find
Blame the unforgiving sun
Arabians, Arabians
Neighbours are so hard to tame
When you don't look the same
Give them a smile say
Goodbye, good thing
Africa's a lonely place
Goodbye, good thing
Missionaries in position pray
Oh Israel
The lyrics of the song Israel by Mason & Fenn depict a reflection on the tumultuous history and conflict-ridden present of Israel. The song seems to be an address to the region and its inhabitants, questioning their actions and beliefs. The opening lines, "Were you here five thousand years ago, promising the promised land", refer to the Biblical promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants that the land of Israel would belong to them. The mention of "Corinthians" and "Phoenicians" in the following lines, represent the various rulers and empires that have occupied Israel over the centuries, and highlights the region's antiquity and the ongoing struggle for power.
The next section of the song seems to point towards the present-day situation of the region, addressing the difficulties faced by the people living in the area. The line, "Have you lost what others never find, blame the unforgiving sun," alludes to the harsh living conditions and the age-old tensions between the Arab and Jewish communities. The reference to "Arabians" and their difficulty in adjusting to the region's mixed cultural heritage highlights the differences that segregate the inhabitants of Israel.
Overall, the song shows the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the lack of resolution that has plagued the region for thousands of years. It also reflects on the impact that the struggle has had on the daily lives of the people living there.
Line by Line Meaning
Were you here five thousand years ago
Reflecting on the rich history of Israel and wondering if the listener was part of it since the promised land was a gift to the Jews.
Promising the promised land
Mentioning the famous religious story of the promise of land to the Jews by God.
Corinthians, Corinthians
Referring to the ancient city of Corinth, which was a trading hub and highly influenced by the Greeks.
Dancing on unbroken burning sand
An imagery that talks about the hardship of living in a desert where people had to dance on the hot sand without any shade.
Where no trees or living things would grow
Describing the barren landscape of the desert where it's tough for any living things to survive.
Selling the romantic dream
Suggesting that the idea of owning a piece of land holds such a romantic notion that people are still competing for it despite the intense physical conditions.
Phoenicians, Phoenicians
Referring to the ancient civilization that had control over the Mediterranean trade routes.
Real estate is hard to find, ideas undermined
Mentioning how the scarcity of land has undermined the growth of new ideas.
Wrong place and wrong time
Saying that sometimes it's just destiny that you end up at the wrong place and the wrong time.
Goodbye, good thing
Saying farewell to something that was once good and positive.
Africa's a lonely place
Comparing the vast emptiness of Africa to the feeling of loneliness when you're alone and lost.
Missionaries in position pray
Referring to the Christian missionaries who came to Africa with the hope of spreading the gospel and converting people to Christianity.
Oh Israel
Ending the song by calling out to Israel, the land that has seen so much of history and strife over the centuries.
Have you lost what other never find
Asking the question if Israel has lost something that others never find, maybe referring to the legacy that Israel has.
Blame the unforgiving sun
Blaming the hot and harsh sun for making life so hard and difficult.
Arabians, Arabians
Referring to the people from the Arabian Peninsula who have a different set of beliefs, making it challenging to live together.
Neighbours are so hard to tame
Suggesting that having neighbors who are different from you can be challenging to live peacefully.
When you don't look the same
Indicating that the struggle becomes harder when you look different or have different values.
Give them a smile say
Offering a bit of hope and positivity by asking people to give a disarming smile and try to work things out calmly.
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.