The band took their name from the Sons of Freedom, a controversial Doukhobor activist group in Saskatchewan in the early 1900s. Their self-titled 1988 debut album was emblazoned with a prominent slogan from Canadian social justice activist Nellie McClung, Never retract, never retreat, never apologise...get the thing done and let them howl.
The band's 1991 album Gump debuted on the Canadian campus radio charts (see Chart) at #1, ahead of Nirvana's Nevermind, which debuted the same week at #2.
The band broke up in 1993, although they briefly reunited in 1995 to tour in support of a rarities compilation, Tex. Binns, Short and Harrison subsequently joined with Lee Aaron in the band 2preciious.
Mona Lisa
Sons of Freedom Lyrics
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So tired, I waited all night in the rain
It ain't easy (easy) on Second Avenue
It ain't easy (easy) the things they put you through
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
I saw you
Nobody sees your pain
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
All night I thought I heard her calling my name
Woke up, I must have been dreaming again
It ain't easy (easy) when you're on your own
It ain't easy (easy) when you're all alone
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
I want you
Nobody sees your pain
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
(I heard your rhythm)
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
(I heard your rhythm)
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
The lyrics of Sons of Freedom's song "Mona Lisa" is an emotional depiction of the struggles of someone living on the streets. The singer narrates how he saw a woman standing in the rain, tired and lonely. He waits for her all night, but it is not easy, as life on Second Avenue is hard and unpredictable. He confesses to hearing her calling his name, but wakes up only to realize that he was dreaming. In the midst of it all, the singer acknowledges that nobody sees the pain of people like her and advises her not to sell her soul, even though things may seem harder by the day.
There is a deep sense of empathy in the lyrics of "Mona Lisa." The singer's voice is poignant and honest, portraying the plight of people like her who are forgotten by society. It is a powerful message that forces us to confront the reality of life on the streets and the need to show compassion and care to the less privileged in our society. The repetition of the phrase, "Mona Lisa," gives the song a sense of sadness and longing that gradually builds into a crescendo, highlighting the desolation and loneliness experienced by the woman and those like her on the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I saw her standing out in the rain
I observed her under the rain last night.
So tired, I waited all night in the rain
Despite tiresome waiting all night in the rain, I couldn't meet her.
It ain't easy (easy) on Second Avenue
Second Avenue pose difficulties.
It ain't easy (easy) the things they put you through
Her struggles aren't easy.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Angel
She is angelic.
Nobody sees your pain
People don't recognize her sufferings.
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
She should be careful not to compromise her values.
All night I thought I heard her calling my name
I sensated as if she were calling me throughout the night.
Woke up, I must have been dreaming again
When I woke up, I realized it was a dream.
It ain't easy (easy) when you're on your own
Difficulties arise when someone is alone.
It ain't easy (easy) when you're all alone
It's even more challenging to face things solo.
I want you
I'm desirous of having her.
I hear her calling
She appears to be calling me.
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Her persona resembles the famous painting.
Writer(s): Jim Newton
Contributed by Maya W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robbob1234
Last night I saw her standing out in the rain
So tired, I waited all night in the rain
It ain't easy (easy) on Second Avenue
It ain't easy (easy) the things they put you through
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
I saw you
Nobody sees your pain
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
All night I thought I heard her calling my name
Woke up, I must have been dreaming again
It ain't easy (easy) when you're on your own
It ain't easy (easy) when you're all alone
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh angel
I want you
Nobody sees your pain
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
(I heard your rhythm)
Just make sure you don't sell your soul
(I heard your rhythm)
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
I hear her calling
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
@redstarwraith
Never could understand why these guys didn't get a lot better known here in the States. Great band. Great tunes. Still sound exciting all these years later.
@indigoinsfcanada2949
this album was out and waking waves in canada six months before Nirvanas debut
@DeadSoulAdrian
I think there were drug issues within the band. They should have been big!
@donmackie6086
Tough to crack the US market. Especially for a foreign act. That's right, Americans consider us foreigners. Fuckin pinheads
@mikehalwa7201
@@indigoinsfcanada2949 also his first band, Slow, was a hit in Vancouver with the song Have Not Been The Same in the late 80s. They were already doing an early version of grunge IMO. Slow's show at Expo 86 in Vancouver was a near riot that shut down Expo's daily concert stage.
@blooberpuss
@@mikehalwa7201 Which band member do you think was in both Slow and Sons of Freedom ? I think you are confused except that both were from Vancouver during approximately the same time period.
@TomJLewis1
This was the last piece of vinyl I ever bought. Still stands up.
@donmackie6086
These guys were great live!
@rbakewell8427
Loved this album. High volume. Repetition works. Repetition works.
@lancefoley4687
I can't decide which I like better-this or The criminal- both classic, crunching tunes.