DEAD OR ALIVE
Pretty Maids Lyrics


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They shout in the streets of
Rangoon
A young revolution in bloom
Uprising among the Chinese
For justice and freedom of speech

Stand up in line
Speak out your mind
Fight for your right to believe
Leave your misery
Die with dignity
Cry for justice when you long for it
Want it

[Chorus]
Dead or alive
Gonna hold your fire high
Stand up for your reasons
Dead or alive
Its a game of do or die
In your fight for freedom

Oppress you with muscle and might
They fear the rebellion in sight
With evil tyrannic regimes
They rule but they can't kill your
Dreams

Scream it out loud
They're deaf to the crowd
Ignore your demands to be free
Free and break your bonds
Never bow to no one
Cry for justice within you long for it
Want it

[Chorus]

All for the cause is wrath the price
Another human sacrifice
Another spill of blood on the bricks
Beyond their minds as cold as ice
Beyond their little white washed lies
Love don't exist





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pretty Maids' song "Dead or Alive" paint a picture of a political uprising, a revolution or rebellion, for justice and freedom of speech. This uprising is portrayed to be in Rangoon, where people are shouting in the streets, and also among the Chinese. The song urges the oppressed to stand up for themselves, speak out their minds, and fight for their rights to believe, to leave their misery, and die with dignity. The lyrics express deep emotions and a strong desire for justice in the face of tyranny, oppression, and suppression of voices. The chorus of the song is particularly powerful and motivational, urging people to hold their fire high, stand up for their reasons, and fight for freedom because it's a game of do or die.


The second verse of the song highlights the tactics used by tyrannical regimes to oppress and silence dissenting voices. The oppressors use muscle and might, but the song reassures the oppressed that their dreams cannot be killed. The people are urged to scream out loud, ignore the demands of their oppressors, break free from their bonds, and never bow to anyone. The song speaks to the deep desire for justice and freedom that lies within every human being, and how they should cry out when they long for it.


Line by Line Meaning

They shout in the streets of Rangoon
The citizens of Rangoon are protesting aloud


A young revolution in bloom
This is the emergence of a new revolution


Uprising among the Chinese
The Chinese people are revolting


For justice and freedom of speech
They are fighting for justice and their right to speak freely


Stand up in line
Join together with others who believe in this cause


Speak out your mind
Express your thoughts and opinions boldly


Fight for your right to believe
Defend your beliefs and stand up for them


Leave your misery
Escape from your suffering


Die with dignity
Do not back down or compromise your values even in the face of death


Cry for justice when you long for it
Express and demand justice when it is needed


Want it
Desire and yearn for justice


Dead or alive
Whether you live or die


Gonna hold your fire high
Continue to fight with passion and perseverance


Stand up for your reasons
Defend your beliefs and reasons for fighting


Its a game of do or die
This is a high stakes situation where you must succeed or perish


In your fight for freedom
You are fighting for your right to be free


Oppress you with muscle and might
They are using brute force to suppress you


They fear the rebellion in sight
They are afraid of the uprising they see emerging


With evil tyrannic regimes
These oppressive regimes are wicked


They rule but they can't kill your dreams
Even though they are in power, they cannot crush your aspirations


Scream it out loud
Shout it from the rooftops


They're deaf to the crowd
They are ignoring the masses


Ignore your demands to be free
They are not listening to your requests for freedom


Free and break your bonds
Escape from your shackles and be liberated


Never bow to no one
Do not submit or kowtow to anyone


All for the cause is wrath the price
The cost of fighting for this cause is anger and resentment


Another human sacrifice
Someone else will likely have to give their life for the cause


Another spill of blood on the bricks
There will be more violence and bloodshed


Beyond their minds as cold as ice
These leaders are callous and indifferent


Beyond their little white washed lies
They cannot cover up their deceitful practices


Love don't exist
There is no love or compassion in their actions and policies




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN GENZALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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