Resisting Tyrannical Government
Propagandhi Lyrics


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Why don't we all strap bombs to our chests and ride our bikes to the next g-7 picnic? it seems easier with every clock tick. but whose will would that represent? mine? yours? the rank-and-file's? or better yet: the government's? but I don't want to catalyze or synthesize the second final solution. I don't want to be the Steve smith of the revolution. do you see the analogy? we're the Oilers. the world bank- the flames! and just 2 minutes remain in the 7th game of the best of 7 series! yeah, Jesus saves! Gretzky scores! the workers slave. the rich get more. one wrong move and we risk the cup. so play the man, not the puck. why don't we plant a mechanic virus and erase the memory of the machines that maintain this capitalist dynasty? and yes, I recognize the irony that the very system I oppose affords me the luxury of biting the hand that feeds. but that's exactly why privileged fucks like me should feel obliged to whine and kick and scream- until everyone has everything they need.




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Resisting Tyrannical Government" by Propagandhi seem to express frustration with the current state of the world and a desire for change. The opening line suggests a violent response to this frustration, but the following questions reveal the complexity of the situation. It's not clear whose will bombing a G-7 summit would represent, and it's possible that even such an extreme action would ultimately serve the government's interests. The singer then draws an analogy to a hockey game, where a single wrong move could cost the team the championship. This suggests that strategy is important in any kind of resistance, and that it's better to take calculated risks than rash actions.


The final stanza acknowledges the irony of the situation. The very system the singer opposes is the one that affords them the luxury of expressing dissent in the first place. However, they argue that this privilege should be used to advocate for those who don't have it. The line "until everyone has everything they need" suggests a desire for true equality, where basic needs are met for all people rather than just a privileged few.


Overall, the song seems to be a call for strategic and thoughtful resistance against the oppressive systems in place, while acknowledging the difficulty and irony of fighting against a system that has given some people privileges.


Line by Line Meaning

Why don't we all strap bombs to our chests and ride our bikes to the next g-7 picnic?
Why don't we commit a suicidal terrorist attack at the next G7 meeting?


it seems easier with every clock tick.
It appears easier to resort to extreme acts of violence as time goes on.


but whose will would that represent? mine? yours? the rank-and-file's? or better yet: the government's?
Whose interests would such an attack serve - mine, yours, the masses or the government?


but I don't want to catalyze or synthesize the second final solution. I don't want to be the Steve smith of the revolution. do you see the analogy?
I don't want to be the one to trigger another holocaust or be a martyr for the revolution. The analogy here is with Steve Smith, who took the blame for Canada's hockey team loss in the 1996 World Cup.


we're the Oilers. the world bank- the flames! and just 2 minutes remain in the 7th game of the best of 7 series! yeah, Jesus saves! Gretzky scores! the workers slave. the rich get more.
We're in a high-stakes game, where we're the underdogs and the world bank is our formidable opponent. The reference to Gretzky and Jesus represents luck and divine intervention which we cannot rely on while the rich exploit the masses.


one wrong move and we risk the cup. so play the man, not the puck.
One mistake could be catastrophic. Therefore, we should focus on the people and not just the strategy.


why don't we plant a mechanic virus and erase the memory of the machines that maintain this capitalist dynasty?
Why don't we hack the computers that sustain capitalism and destroy their memory?


and yes, I recognize the irony that the very system I oppose affords me the luxury of biting the hand that feeds.
I understand the irony that the very system I criticize allows me to be comfortable while criticizing it.


but that's exactly why privileged fucks like me should feel obliged to whine and kick and scream- until everyone has everything they need.
However, this is the reason why privileged people like me should be vocal about the system until everyone has basic necessities.




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