Hail To the Chief
Prophets of Rage Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hold it

Hovering over
Looking over the shoulder
Suspense suspect
Who got next game
Hanging us by the necks
Hold onto your purses and wallets
By George, he's the new Wallace
Show no shame, no malice
Wondering who's this new Alice
Check check 1-2 1-2
Alabama Indiana
They be coming around asking
Who the fuck is you?
He be coming around that mountain
How the West was won
Mother fucker didn't ever run
Hero here he come

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief
To cease peace
He'll be comin' around that mountain

He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief
To cease peace

And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run

They lie when they say we matter
Lies of a whole new chapter
Smile when you meet your master
Lookin' in the eye of the rapture
They lie when they say we matter
Some rather believe in a liar
Pride in the heart of believers
While the city ignites like a fire
While ya life hangs in the balance
The innocent caught in the violence
Silence everybody that ain't like us
Devising words to divide us
Fear in the heart of the millions
One percent with their billions
Savage politicians got the whole world ripe for the pickin'

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief
To cease peace
He'll be comin' around that mountain

He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief
To cease peace

And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run
And he didn't even run

666 666 suspense
Sick sick sick sick sick sick suspense
666 666 suspense
Sick sick sick sick sick sick

Here he come
Here he come
Here he come

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief
To cease peace
He'll be comin' around that mountain

He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain
He'll be comin' around that mountain

All hail to the chief
Who came in the name of a thief




To cease peace
And he didn't even run

Overall Meaning

The song "Hail to the Chief" by Prophets of Rage is an intense commentary on the current political climate in the United States. The song is a direct attack on the current administration and its policies. The first verse describes an ominous figure "hovering over" and "looking over the shoulder" of the people. This can be seen as a reference to the government's surveillance programs, which many feel are an invasion of privacy. The lyrics then go on to describe a "new Wallace" - a reference to segregationist Alabama governor George Wallace - who is "hanging us by the necks." This line suggests that the current administration is oppressing people and limiting their freedoms.


The chorus of the song is a play on the traditional American patriotic song "Hail to the Chief," which is played to announce the arrival of the President of the United States. However, in this song, the refrain "All hail to the chief" is followed by the ironic line "who came in the name of a thief." This line suggests that the current administration has come to power through illegitimate means. The song ends with the line "He didn't even run," which may refer to allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to ensure Donald Trump's victory.


Overall, "Hail to the Chief" is a powerful statement on the current state of American politics, calling out the government's policies and the way in which they have come to power.


Line by Line Meaning

Hold it
Stop what you're doing


Hovering over
Bearing down on us


Looking over the shoulder
Paranoia, feeling watched


Suspense suspect
Feeling uncertain, uneasy


Who got next game
Who is in power next?


Hanging us by the necks
Oppression and tyranny


Hold onto your purses and wallets
Expect corruption, greed


By George, he's the new Wallace
Reference to segregationist governor of Alabama


Show no shame, no malice
Unapologetic, no remorse


Wondering who's this new Alice
Confusion, inquiry into the new leader


Check check 1-2 1-2
Preparing to speak out


Alabama Indiana
States with a history of racial tension and violence


They be coming around asking
Asking for affirmation, support


Who the fuck is you?
Confrontational inquiry, a challenge


He be coming around that mountain
The inevitable leader is coming


How the West was won
Execution through power and destruction


Mother fucker didn't ever run
Not afraid to pursue dominance


Hero here he come
Sarcastic reference to a dangerous leader


All hail to the chief
Irony in glorifying a controversial leader


Who came in the name of a thief
Entered power through corrupt means


To cease peace
Intentionally causing disturbance, chaos


And he didn't even run
Not afraid to cling to power despite backlash


They lie when they say we matter
People deemed unimportant, neglected


Lies of a whole new chapter
Dissemination of falsehoods


Smile when you meet your master
Submission to those in power


Lookin' in the eye of the rapture
Confronting the end of the world as we know it


Some rather believe in a liar
Those who buy into deception


Pride in the heart of believers
Blind allegiance


While the city ignites like a fire
Civil unrest


While ya life hangs in the balance
Feeling of danger and uncertainty


The innocent caught in the violence
Affect on civilians


Silence everybody that ain't like us
Oppression and intolerance


Devising words to divide us
Fueling unrest and disharmony


Fear in the heart of the millions
Taking advantage of widespread anxiety


One percent with their billions
The wealthy and powerful ruling over the masses


Savage politicians got the whole world ripe for the pickin'
Leaders taking advantage of the vulnerable and uninformed


666 666 suspense
Evil, satanic reference


Sick sick sick sick sick sick suspense
Disturbed and unsettling


Here he come
Reference to the ominous leader




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Timothy Commerford, Louis M. Freeze, Thomas B. Morello, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, Brad J. Wilk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Julopolo

2:34 Best moment of the album. Brad Wilk's killing it on the drums.

Brent Roopchandsingh

Man I just love what Tom Morello does. A genius in his own style.

John Manning

Timmy C's bass riffs are friggin outstanding. in the verses, that groove is AWESOME!

Yoshi Obermeyer

I wished that these guys would have put their minds together much earlier, two of the greatest MCs of all times and the best groovin' band finally in one team! Awesome shitkicking stuff!

Laura Kennedy

I grew up in Vegas never understanding this fucked up reality. I thank you for being there as music when I was young and thank you for being here again now. Full force!!!

Rivera

Esse som é do caralho. Muito bom ver esses caras de volta ao jogo.

JelliKit

2:59 there’s no words to describe how I love this part.

JC0525 Tzeni

Bravo! Your fearlessness is applauded! I believe your voice and it's message is opening the eyes of many have been living blind. Prophets, don't ever stop your work , you've all been blessed with amazing talents and strength. ✊️.

Brady B

Trumpflake

1 More Replies...

John Manning

B Real hits it so hard at 1:24. LOVE it!

More Comments

More Versions