Arrested in Shanghai
Rancid Lyrics

They were sure I was guilty, but I committed no crime
Despite being accused of a crime, he did not commit any wrongdoing.

They said: confessions bring lenience, so that put me on the line
He was pressured to confess as a way to receive leniency.

So I, protest the massacres at the Talliman Square
He protested the tragic events that took place at Tiananmen Square in China.

My friends say yo, stay away man, you better not go fucking back there
His friends warned him to stay away from the situation because of the danger it posed.

One night I might write about my opinions about the state
He contemplated expressing his thoughts about the government one night.

And the freedom of expression they would never tolerate
He knew the government would not tolerate expressions of free speech or opinions.

And the, military secrets that I never did steal
He did not take any military secrets.

I didn't start no violence, no, and there was nobody that I killed
He was not a violent person and never killed anyone.

So I had a clear account of all abusers of power
He kept a record of all those who misused their authority.

And the memories of homeland all gone sour
His memories of his homeland had turned bitter and negative.

And I only got one weapon, it's so plain for me to see
His only weapon was his ability to write poetry.

My only weapon I call, poetry
He believes that his poetry can have a profound effect.

And I don't even know why. The truth seems like a lie. In my cell there is no sky. When I was arrested in Shanghai.
After being arrested, he felt very alone and disconnected from the world, with no hope in sight.

Now, in a world of privilege I was not born
He was not born into privilege.

But, the devotion of freedom and liberty I was sworn
He was committed to the ideals of freedom and liberty.

So, every emotion is studied, watched their control
He was constantly being monitored and regulated.

Who gets paid, who gets disciplined, who gets born
Power and control determined who got favored treatment, who was punished, and who had opportunities.

So, transmitting beams my coordinates, anywhere on Earth
He had the ability to communicate his location with anyone anywhere in the world.

And, as radio waves, surveillance, satellite bursts
He was aware of the various methods of surveillance the government used to monitor him.

Open up your skull and let some knowledge come in
He encouraged others to open their minds and seek knowledge.

Yeah, crack open the cranium and let awareness begin
He wanted people to raise their awareness and become more conscious.