Sewer Rats
Rats Don't Sink Lyrics


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For years promised to the gallows
We fight our way to our demise
They remind us we're not like them
'Cause to their eyes we're sewer rats
Just sewer rats!
Just sewer rats!
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
For years promised to the gallows
We fight our way to our demise
They remind us we're not like them
'Cause to their eyes we're sewer rats
Just sewer rats!
Just sewer rats!
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
We're worthless pawns on their chessboard
We're just numbers in a balance sheet
We're sewer rats in their basement
The first ones to throw overboard
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!




We're just sewer rats, we're just scum
We're just sewer rats, we're just scum

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rats Don't Sink's "Sewer Rats" convey a compelling narrative of struggle, identity, and dehumanization, layered with socio-political commentary. The repeated phrase "just sewer rats" serves as a powerful refrain that encapsulates the singer's feeling of being marginalized and devalued by society. The juxtaposition of fighting for survival against the inevitability of destruction suggests a sense of hopelessness and resignation in the face of systemic oppression. The “gallows” symbolize death and punishment, while the act of fighting indicates a relentless struggle for existence, despite knowing that it might lead to their own downfall. This duality expresses the tension between resilience and despair, illuminating the challenges that those within this marginalized group face daily.


The lyrics also highlight the stark divide between the "them" and "us," illustrating an inherent social hierarchy. The line "They remind us we're not like them" emphasizes the alienation imposed on the singer by the ruling class, who view them derogatorily as "sewer rats." This metaphor is rich with connotations; it suggests filthiness, treachery, and worthlessness—qualities that society unjustly attributes to individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. By labeling themselves as "sewer rats," the singers are openly acknowledging the derogatory view of their existence, while simultaneously owning that identity as a form of rebellion against the stigma. It speaks to the internalized oppression experienced by those who are repeatedly told they are lesser human beings, a powerful sentiment that resonates deeply in contemporary discussions about class and social inequality.


Further into the song, the imagery of being "worthless pawns on their chessboard" and "just numbers in a balance sheet" extends the critique of how systems of power reduce human lives to mere statistics. This commodification of individuals reflects a harsh reality in which people are often viewed through a transactional lens, stripped of their individuality and intrinsic value. The metaphor of being pawns suggests that their lives are manipulated by more powerful entities, with decisions made far beyond their control. This interpretation points to a society that thrives on exploitation, where the 'sewer rats' are expendable, discarded at the first sign of inconvenience, highlighting the fragility of their existence within a brutal economic and social machine.


In the concluding repetitions of "We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!", there is a transformation of despair into a rallying cry of defiance. Although the notion of being seen as 'scum' is inherently demeaning, the insistence on owning that identity suggests a reclamation of power—an assertion of their existence against the oppressive structures that seek to silence them. This dichotomy serves as a potent reminder of the need for solidarity among the downtrodden. The repetition underscores a communal identity formed in adversity, implying that while they may be considered less by the dominant forces in society, they are united in their struggle and resilience. Ultimately, "Sewer Rats" resounds as a testament to the persistence of those who fight to be acknowledged, respected, and valued, no matter the labels society imposes upon them.


Line by Line Meaning

For years promised to the gallows
For a long time, we've been resigned to our fate of impending punishment.


We fight our way to our demise
In a struggle for survival, we resist, even when it seems we are destined for failure.


They remind us we're not like them
Society consistently points out the differences between us and those in power.


'Cause to their eyes we're sewer rats
To the privileged, we are seen as the lowest of the low, unworthy of respect.


Just sewer rats!
A stark acknowledgment of our perceived inferiority.


Just sewer rats!
A repetition emphasizing our marginalized status.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
We are branded as worthless and contemptible by those in authority.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
Reiterating the dehumanizing label applied to us.


For years promised to the gallows
Once more acknowledging the long-standing prediction of our doom.


We fight our way to our demise
Still, we resist the inevitable, even when all seems lost.


They remind us we're not like them
Those in power continually assert our differences to maintain their superiority.


'Cause to their eyes we're sewer rats
They view us as beneath them, reinforcing our status as outcasts.


Just sewer rats!
The harsh reality of our existence cannot be ignored.


Just sewer rats!
The repetitive nature of our oppression is undeniable.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
A visceral reminder of how we are perceived by the elite.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
Our plight as disenfranchised individuals is emphasized yet again.


We're worthless pawns on their chessboard
We are manipulated and used by the powerful as mere tools in their games.


We're just numbers in a balance sheet
Our value is reduced to mere statistics in a financial calculation.


We're sewer rats in their basement
We are confined to the lowest levels of existence, unseen and disregarded.


The first ones to throw overboard
We are the first to be sacrificed when those in power need to protect their interests.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
Our identity is stripped down to that of worthless entities.


We ain't nothing but sewer rats! Scum!
The dehumanization is relentless and unavoidable.


We're just sewer rats, we're just scum
Acknowledging our plight yet again, we are reminders of societal neglect.


We're just sewer rats, we're just scum
An acceptance of our status as outcasts and the enduring stigma attached.




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Panagiotis PANOUSOPOULOS, Alex CANÓZ, Nicolas BOURRON, Mathieu DUBUISSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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