The Masters are Back
Sage Francis Lyrics

By the time the flags rotted off of their antennas, they were questioning who the real threat is.
As time went on, people began to doubt who the actual enemy was, as evidenced by the deterioration of flags on their cars.

Big Brotherly love is the 21rst Century's plague. no matter how bloody the glove, question evidence displayed.
The surveillance state has become a major issue in modern times, and even when presented with evidence, it's important to question its validity.

Don't forget what two plus two equals. Don't let them upgrade your math no matter what they have as proof of evil.
Remember basic facts and don't let anyone manipulate or alter your understanding of them.

Remember when they went after the Jewish people? You don't recognize that same black mask as see through?
It's important to remember past atrocities and use that knowledge to see through similar oppressive tactics being used in the present.

Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
Using violent metaphors, the artist expresses the desire to fight against those who seek to harm him or his beliefs.

F**k what we're force fed. All I ever wanted was a warm bed and a house that wasn't haunted.
The artist rejects the propaganda and lies he's been fed and ultimately desires a peaceful and safe home.

I'd rather die for a cause than to die just because we exhaust natural resources forced into wars, restoring wasteful ways, keeping other countries poor.
The artist values standing up for a just cause over being involved in wasteful wars that exploit and impoverish other nations for their resources.

"Monkey see, Monkey do" I wonder what those f**king monkeys saw.
The artist questions where the cycle of oppressive behavior and tactics comes from and what motivates it.

Keep rethinking the still-frames in your mind, and guarantee they will change with time.
It's important to continually reassess memories and beliefs, as they may evolve and change over time.

Your outline is pixelated with poor resolution while downtime is simply wasted. You were born execution style.
The artist uses imagery to describe the difficulties of life and the challenges that may arise from birth, as well as the importance of using one's time wisely.

Head first in a trial. I'll second the motion 'Til the jury's bored to death and puts your neck in a notion.
The artist expresses the desire to fight against oppressive power structures, even if it means risking oneself in the process.

The situation's volatile. A naked problem child is trying to find the right clown costume to make his father smile.
The artist uses this whimsical imagery to describe the challenging and unstable nature of society and how individuals may struggle to fit in or belong.

So he bombs while he tries to tell jokes. This ain't a false alarm, can't you smell the smoke?
The artist critiques the way people use humor to mask the seriousness of problems and warns that ignoring them will lead to disaster.

You're in the line of fire where they buy and sell votes. Our sense of liberty doesn't ring true, stupid, that's why the bell broke.
The artist criticizes the corrupt nature of politics, where the right to vote is exploited and the sense of freedom is a hollow illusion.

Trench coat Mafiosos propel rocks at recruitment officers and rebel against cops 'Til they hurdle infinite circles in small cell blocks. Turtle upon turtle 'til they're all shell shocked.
The artist describes the resistance movement against corrupt authority, which uses unconventional methods and is constantly being suppressed by those in power.

This so-called president got elected in a court room. With the war efforts of pops he inherited a fortune. We "talk, talk, talk..." so the veterans of war assume the revolution stopped. This ain't a protest tune.
The artist critiques the way in which certain politicians become elected and use their family and societal connections to amass power and wealth, ultimately leading to disillusionment and a lack of protest.

"Hey, Bobby... the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days. They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave."
The dialogue in the song is between two individuals, with one warning the other that the people in power are up to no good and only pretending to be gone.

"Hey, Bobby... them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave. I'm a do it right this time... I'm awake... I'm a wait until their f**kin' skin decays."
The singer is now motivated to take action against the corrupt powers that be, and will wait until they've decayed to carry out their revenge.

There's no escaping ass kickings in these times of war, replacing apples with hospitals... where doctors are hostile, Killing two pterodactyls with one fossil.
The artist describes the traumas of living in times of war and how basic necessities like food are being replaced with medical care that's often not even beneficial for the patient.

Thumb through novels to have your fingerprints match, The description of criminals committing innocent acts of compassion for tired civilians crawling with pistols, While we fire million dollar warning missals.
The artist critiques the criminal justice system, where even those who commit acts of compassion are punished for their actions, while wealthy people continue to waste resources on unnecessary military actions.

Force the issues in the back of your head where eyes roll. Brain wash yourself out of that mind control. Or act a fool like you're told. But we won't see no type of justice 'til that bitch removes the blindfold.
The artist critiques the way society tries to silence important issues and how individuals must be aware of the ways they've been manipulated, and ultimately true justice won't be possible until people open their eyes.

This ain't a "Love it or leave it," it's a "Change it or lose it." I'll never sing the anthem of a nation who never faces the music, Chasing an ever-elusive caveman in space ships that makes trips to the futures that are name-brand.
The artist critiques the blind patriotism that insists one must accept the country as is or leave, and emphasizes the need for change. He also critiques society's obsession with the future and the way progress is focused on products and name brands.

Faking progress... but we ain't advanced Enough to change the posture of our ape stance? They've got the key to the city but they prefer the break-in entry. Duck and weave, I'm shedding light in their shadow box to make it empty.
The artist questions the true nature of progress and whether we've truly evolved as a society. He also critiques the way those in power abuse their position and emphasizes the need to expose their actions.

"Hey, Bobby... the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days. They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave."
The same dialogue from earlier in the song repeats, emphasizing the warning that those in power are back and up to no good.

"Hey, Bobby... them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave. I'm a do it right this time... I'm awake... I'm a wait until their f**king skin decays."
The artist's desire for revenge against corrupt power structures is reiterated, emphasizing that it's now the people's turn to stand over the graves of those who exploited them.

There's nothing scarier than the human stories I tell ghosts, Chilling accounts with my tongue frozen to bed posts. The catharses of carcasses whenever threats are close, Shows a heartlessness that doesn't register on stethoscopes.
The artist describes the horror of certain human actions and the way they can affect even the dead. He also emphasizes the damage these actions can have on mental health.

Sell your hopes for a homeland security chart, 'Til your sense of self is broke and no man's pure in the heart. Preventive detention for the folks who never left home. Tensions have grown into a 24/7 red zone.
The artist describes the dangers of sacrificing one's hopes for the false sense of security promised by the government, ultimately destroying one's sense of self. He also critiques the way certain individuals are detained without having committed any crimes, further exacerbating tensions.

Scare tactics... have got you under control, The fear factors of a color code. The uppers know They can't hold you down without having anchors attached. "It's all the same." Nah, balls and chains on ankles don't match.
The artist describes how fear is used to manipulate people and how society is segregated by a color code. He also critiques the way those in power use subordination to control people and the false notion that everyone is the same.

So drag your torso back to the off road. We may have lost the fashion battle but we ain't lost the wardrobe. Go window shopping for your next free meal, 'cause when we start the revolution all you'll probably do is steal.
The artist encourages individuals to take action and find alternative paths to resist oppression, even if it means losing some comforts. He also critiques the way society views those who are struggling and emphasizes the need for a revolution.

"Hey, Bobby... the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days. They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave."
The dialogue repeats for a final time, emphasizing the warning that those in power are back and continuing to exploit people.

"Hey, Bobby... them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave. I'm a do it right this time... I'm awake... I'm a wait until their f**kin' skin decays."
The final repetition of the artist's desire to seek revenge against those in power and wait until they've decayed emphasizes the seriousness of the call to action.