Independence Day
Pure Divine Lyrics


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Well she seemed all right by dawn's early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
But Daddy'd left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day

Well word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
That mama was proud and she stood her ground
But she knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered and some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today
is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day

Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They took down some names and put out the flames
and sent me to the county home
Oh, and I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today
is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day




Roll the stone away
It's Independence Day

Overall Meaning

The song Independence Day by Pure Divine tells the story of a dysfunctional family living in a small town. The singer is a child witnessing and experiencing the turmoil of his parent's abusive relationship. The lyrics describe the aftermath of a fight between the parents on the Fourth of July, where the father attacks the mother, leaving bruises on her face. The mother tries to cover it up, but it's clear that something is wrong, and the child feels like he's in the way. He heads to the fair in town to try and forget the chaos at home.


As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the father is a dangerous man, but the town ignores his behavior, and the mother ultimately can't handle the abuse. On the Fourth of July, the mother sets fire to the family home, burning it down entirely. The child is sent to a county home, and the song ends with the singer saying, "Talk about your revolution, it's Independence Day."


The song highlights the struggles that many families face with domestic violence and abuse. It also sheds light on the importance of speaking out against abuse and standing up for victims. The song ends on a note of upheaval, with the destruction of the family home and the child being sent away, but it also speaks to the possibility of change.


Line by Line Meaning

Well she seemed all right by dawn's early light
Early in the morning, she looked okay to me


Though she looked a little worried and weak
She did look a bit concerned and not very strong


She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
She attempted to ignore the fact that her dad was drinking once more


But Daddy'd left the proof on her cheek
Her father hit her and left marks on her face


And I was only eight years old that summer
I was just a child of eight during that time


And I always seemed to be in the way
I felt like I was always causing problems


So I took myself down to the fair in town
I went by myself to the town fair


On Independence Day
It was on the 4th of July


They said he was a dangerous man
People told rumors about him being a dangerous person


That mama was proud and she stood her ground
My mom was strong and refused to be intimidated


But she knew she was on the losin' end
However, she knew it was a losing battle


Some folks whispered and some folks talked
People gossiped and spread rumors


But everybody looked the other way
But no one could or would do anything about it


And when time ran out there was no one about
When the time came, no one was there to help


On Independence Day
On the 4th of July


Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
We need to celebrate and enjoy freedom and peace


Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
The world needs to recognize that justice will be served today


Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
The powerless should become powerful, and what is right should be made clear


Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay
We should bring the truth to light and let the guilty face their punishment


It's Independence Day
This is a day of celebration of independence and freedom


Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
There were fireworks that lit up the sky on July 4th


By the time that the firemen come
When the firefighters arrived


They took down some names and put out the flames
They checked for people and put out any remaining fires


and sent me to the county home
They sent me to a shelter or foster home


Oh, and I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong
I'm not saying if it was right or wrong


But maybe it's the only way
But maybe it was the only solution


Talk about your revolution
Let's talk about the changes and the revolution


It's Independence Day
This is still a day of celebration of independence and freedom


Roll the stone away
Let the truth come out


It's Independence Day
This is still a day of celebration of independence and freedom




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRETCHEN PETERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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