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Don't Tread on Me
Metallica Lyrics


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Don't tread on me
I said, don't tread on me
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Never begins it, never, but once engaged
Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
I said don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Hey
Don't tread on me

Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite
Quick is the blue tongue, forked as lighting strike
Shining with brightness, always on surveillance
The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance
Ooh no, no, no don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Don't tread on me

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling on her tail

So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
Don't tread on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Don't Tread on Me" by Metallica are filled with deep political and social commentary. The song's central theme is about freedom and the desire for self-defense, symbolized by the Gadsden flag, which is often associated with the American Revolution. The full statement of the flag is "Don't Tread on Me" and the serpent represents the willingness to defend liberty at all cost.


The opening lines, "Don't Tread on Me, I said, don't tread on me," displays a strong warning, warning others not to trample upon the sanctity of freedom. The lyrics explore the concepts of liberty and war and implies that national peace can only be established by preparing for war. Meanwhile, "Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite, quick is the blue tongue, forked as lightning strike, shining with brightness, always on surveillance, the eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance" refers to a country with eyes always watching and alert, ever-vigilant in guarding its freedom.


All in all, "Don't Tread on Me" is a call to arms - a warning to anyone who dares to threaten freedom. It is a song of empowerment for those who feel oppressed and powerless to resist. Metallica's "Don't Tread on Me" highlights the importance of individual freedom and the need to protect it by any means necessary.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't tread on me
Do not interfere with me


I said, don't tread on me
I have already warned you not to interfere with me


Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
We value our freedom as much as we cherish life


Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Once you provoke me, I will make my presence known


Never begins it, never, but once engaged
I do not start fights, but I will defend myself once provoked


Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
I will never give up and will show my fierce determination to win


I said don't tread on me
I repeat, do not interfere with me


So be it
Let it happen


Threaten no more
Stop making threats


To secure peace is to prepare for war
To achieve peace, one must be ready to fight


Settle the score
Resolve the issue


Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore
If you try to harm me again, you will face the consequences


Hey
Listen up


Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite
Accept it or go away, as I am a powerful force to be reckoned with


Quick is the blue tongue, forked as lighting strike
I am fast and unpredictable, with a venomous tongue


Shining with brightness, always on surveillance
I am always aware of my surroundings and on guard


The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance
My eyes are always open and alert, representing my watchfulness


Ooh no, no, no don't tread on me
I strongly advise against interfering with me




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Nino Amora


on No Remorse

im a dieharn fan of metalica

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