Seven Nation Army
Punk Division Lyrics

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I'm gonna fight them off.
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back.
They're gonna rip it off.
Takin' their time right behind my back.
And I'm talkin' to myself at night, because I can't forget.
Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette

And a message come from my eyes, says leave it alone.

Dont wanna hear about it.
Every single ones got a story to tell.
Everyone knows about it.
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell.
And if I catch you comin' back my way, I'm gonna serve it to you.
And that ain't what you want to hear, but that's what I'll do.

And a feeling comin' from my bones, says find a home.

I'm goin' to Witchita.
Far from this opera forever more.
I'm gonna work the straw.
Make the sweat drip out of every pore.
And I'm bleedin' and I'm bleedin' and I'm bleedin' right before my lord.
All the words are gonna bleed from me, and I will think no more.

And the stains comin' from my blood, tell me go back home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Punk Division's "Seven Nation Army" are a powerful and dynamic expression of strength, determination, and self-reliance amidst forces that would otherwise seek to keep one down. The singer proclaims that they will fight against all odds, despite the fact that they are facing seven nations who might try to prevent them from succeeding. However, the singer is confident in their own abilities, recognizing that they cannot be held back by external forces or the judgments of others.

In the second verse, the singer speaks about how they are constantly plagued by thoughts that they cannot shake. Using a metaphor of a cigarette and the words "back and forth through my mind," the listener can visualize how these thoughts are constantly bouncing around and preventing the singer from finding rest. The singer's eyes offer a message for themself, a plea to "leave it alone," a message that reflects the struggle of trying to let go of something that has taken hold of one's mind.

The third verse shifts the singer's focus towards the external world, recognizing that everyone has their own story to tell, no matter who they are. The singer claims that they will not stand for any nonsense or attempts by others to bring them down, promising to "serve it" to anyone who tries. Finally, the singer speaks about their desire to find a place where they can establish themselves and feel at home, declaring that they will "find a home" and leave behind the chaos and drama of their previous life.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna fight them off.
I am determined to defend myself against them.

A seven nation army couldn't hold me back.
I have a great spirit that cannot be subdued by any force.

They're gonna rip it off.
They plan to forcefully take away something that belongs to me.

Takin' their time right behind my back.
They are plotting and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike when I am not looking.

And I'm talkin' to myself at night, because I can't forget.
I am haunted by my past and cannot stop thinking about it even in my sleep.

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette
I am chain-smoking while trying to sort out my thoughts.

And a message come from my eyes, says leave it alone.
My demeanor sends a message that I want them to back off from me.

Dont wanna hear about it.
I do not want to listen to their stories or complaints.

Every single ones got a story to tell.
Everyone has a past or experience that shapes them into who they are today.

Everyone knows about it.
Their personal struggles are widely known and discussed among many people.

From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell.
Their stories are known and talked about from the most royal and respectable figures to the lowest and most despised creatures.

And if I catch you comin' back my way, I'm gonna serve it to you.
If they dare come near me again, I will retaliate.

And that ain't what you want to hear, but that's what I'll do.
They may not like the consequences of their actions, but I will not hesitate to carry them out.

And a feeling comin' from my bones, says find a home.
I have a deep feeling within me that urges me to settle down and find a place to belong.

I'm goin' to Witchita.
I have decided to move to a place that I think will provide me with the sense of home I am yearning for.

Far from this opera forever more.
I am leaving behind all the drama and chaos that I have endured for good.

I'm gonna work the straw.
I plan to work hard and exhaust myself to achieve my goals.

Make the sweat drip out of every pore.
I am willing to work so hard that my body will feel the strain and discomfort.

And I'm bleedin' and I'm bleedin' and I'm bleedin' right before my lord.
I am sacrificing a lot and working very hard, even for a higher power.

All the words are gonna bleed from me, and I will think no more.
I am going to spill all my innermost thoughts and feelings, and then I will finally achieve peace.

And the stains comin' from my blood, tell me go back home
I am reminded of my past and where I came from, which motivates me to work hard to create a better future.

Writer(s): Jack White Copyright: Peppermint Stripe Music

Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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