Leave It There
Odds Lyrics

The song "Leave It There" by Odds paints a vivid picture of the destructive nature of imperialism and how it eventually leads to destruction. The first verse talks about Western powers that sailed into new lands and claimed them as their own by sticking their flag in the air. They were dressed in metal armor and with their deadly weapons, they made murder everywhere they went. The idea of the sword being put in the stone and left there harkens back to the King Arthur legend, where only the true king can pull the sword from the stone. In this context, the sword represents power and control. By putting it in the stone and leaving it there, it suggests that these conquering forces should not seek to dominate and exploit others.

The second verse is a warning of the consequences of greed and destruction. The imagery of rising seas and buried buildings suggests that everything that is built by human hands will eventually be destroyed, and no one can avoid that fate. The line "One day I will walk above and you will lay below" can be interpreted as a commentary on how those who seek power and control will eventually fall, while those who have been oppressed will rise up.

The chorus of "Leave it there" is a call to action, urging those who hold power to resist the temptation to use it for destructive means. The statue of the hero mentioned in the last verse suggests that true greatness comes not from dominating others but from finding oneself and gaining true self-knowledge. By putting the sword in the stone and leaving it there, these conquerors may find a path to true greatness.