Manifesto
Nahko and Medicine for the People Lyrics

Well this is real talk, this is non-stop
The song is a conversation, a messenger reaching out to the listener through a truthful and uninterrupted flow.

It is looped now tongue and mind
The song's message sticks with you, resonating within your thoughts and conversation.

Played off the sidewalk, straight to your boombox
The song reflects real life, taking the messages heard on sidewalks and transferring them through the radio to reach a broader audience.

How it travels from ear to memory
The power of music lies in its ability to imprint a message in your memory with ease.

Well this is medicine, there's a message within
The song is more than just an entertaining melody - there is a crucial life message intertwined within.

And each will find it in their own time
The song's message resonates with people in different ways, some catching on immediately and some years down the road.

Well this is music, this is how I use it
Music serves the purpose of not only entertaining, but also educating and motivating.

It makes you move and move the movement
Music can inspire actions that cause a larger impact, creating change.

This is how I focus, knowing it's not hopeless
Music can serve as a focal point for people, inspiring them to work towards a better world.

But it sure starts with me and ends on a whole note
Each person has a role to play in creating a harmonious world, and it's up to the individual to take action.

Musical medicine, this is my healing
Music can be therapeutic in that it serves as a healing method from the stress and difficulties of the world.

For past and present future things to come
Music serves as an instrument for learning from the past, understanding the present and creating a brighter future.

I see people stressin' over space and possessions
Western ideals on materialistic possessions have led to a pervasive attitude of anxiety surrounding acquiring more.

Out of fear and a need for visual aids of our abundance
Our obsession with materialistic possessions stems from a fear of not having enough, leading to a desire to show off wealth through visual displays.

Give me examples or something tangible
The search for meaning requires concrete examples rather than abstract ideas.

Something I can get my hands on and find real meaning
Tangible objects are necessary for finding true meaning in life.

Where is the medicine? well I've been searching
The song recognizes that finding the answers to life's most significant questions is sometimes a long and daunting process.

And I suppose each will find their own kind
Each person will find their unique meaning and purpose in life.

Well everything's at stake, it makes it hard to concentrate
In a world where everything feels like it's on the line, it's difficult to focus on personal goals.

And there are men who see a war and see a paycheck
The song berates the nature of people who profit from other's suffering.

Such different programming, to live so fearfully
The world is running on different programming, causing people to live in fear.

Terror this and terror that, terrible reality
News events are often covered with negative, fear-inducing headlines.

There is no medicine on the television
Television is not a source for the answers to life's most significant problems.

So turn it off and turn yourself around
To break away from the negative programming, you should turn off the television and focus your efforts on the positive.

And let's just face it, the world's fuckin' racist
The song calls attention to the pervasive issue of racism in the world.

Even the most peaceful of us gets caught in the trend
Racism affects even the most positive and peaceful of people.

To live cohesively is almost a fantasy
Harmonious living in a world with so much division seems almost unattainable.

And we ought to know it starts with humbling our egos
To create a world where harmonious living is attainable, individuals must first let go of their egos.

What is the medicine for cultural woundin'?
The song questions how we can heal cultural divides in society.

Has its moments, has its melodies, has its time
The answer to healing cultural divides in society warrants reflection on the past, present and desired future.

Well I was listening to the outgoing seasons
The song conjures a powerful vision of the world.

About climate change and some of the reasons
The song alludes to some of the biggest environmental issues we face as a society.

When the sky opened, like I been hopin'
The singer sees a visceral vision of hope.

And there came horses by the thousands
A beautiful and magical vision of nature arrives.

And there was thunder on their tongues, and lightning on their minds
The horses carry with them fantastic powers.

And they were singing this old melody from some other time
The horses have music to share as well.

They sang don't waste your hate
The music advises people to channel their emotions correctly.

Rather gather and create
The song urges people to come together and work for the greater good.

Be of service, be a sensible person
The song asks people to be responsible and make meaningful contributions.

Use your words and don't be nervous
The song calls for action in communicating effectively.

You can do this, you've got purpose
The message of the song iterates that each person has a purpose.

Find your medicine and use it
The song concludes with the message of finding a personal sense of purpose and using it to create positive change.