Strike Anywhere is a political band, with lyrics touching on such issues as police brutality, anarchism, anti-capitalism, women's rights, animal rights, and globalization. They have also contributed tracks to political benefit albums, such as a live version of "Sunset on 32nd" for 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo and "To the World" for the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 album. According to the liner notes for their album Change is a Sound, they support "the vegetarian lifestyle, the living wage movement, and the fight against corporate globalization".
Current Members:
* Thomas Barnett - Vocals
* Matt Smith - Guitar/Vocals
* Garth Petrie - Bass
* Eric Kane - Drums
* Mark Miller - Guitar/Vocals
Former:
* Matt Sherwood - Guitar/Vocals (1999-2007)
Sedition
Strike Anywhere Lyrics
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That will take me
And which war
Generations of wage slave data
Family stories they said don't matter
When the last breath burns
In the throats of Bhopal
Will I feel the blade
Hiding from us
All this time
Ghosts flickering
And out
Of my mind
Dead End Streets
We walk by
No Retreat
Staring at the sun
Dead End Streets
The blast shadows
Are waiting for an answer
All this time
I'll give them mine
If I could
Walk in my grandfather's footsteps
While they glowed in the dark
On his way back from the yard
Where the train was parked
I'd say
Don't turn your back
Don't you trust those bastards
I wish I could say this now
Don't Walk By
No retreat
Staring at the sun
Dead End Streets
The blast shadows
Are waiting for an answer
All this time
I'll give them mine
Into our historyâ?¦
Not even a letter
To fake a smile
To say 'I'm sorry'
Our trust in this system's dead
what will it take
To make you sorry?
Hiroshima started in Tennessee
Let it end with me
Let it end
The lyrics of Strike Anywhere's song "Sedition" delve into the theme of questioning one's position amidst socio-political turmoil and historical injustice. The first verse raises questions about the lies and wars that have defined human history and how easily one can be swayed into believing them. The band draws attention to the fact that certain stories and experiences, particularly those of the working class, are often disregarded and forgotten despite their relevance to current issues. The mention of Bhopal reflects the catastrophic gas-leak disaster in India in 1984, which took countless lives and was widely attributed to corporate negligence. The image of feeling the blade when they bury them all implies being held accountable for one's ignorance and indifference towards the suffering of others.
Moving on to the chorus, it emphasizes the bleak reality of walking down dead-end streets with no room to retreat. The blast shadows refer to the looming threat of nuclear warfare, with the band demanding an answer and truthful acknowledgment from those in power. The third verse takes a personal turn as the singer speaks of their grandfather who may have been a victim of radiation poisoning, and the regret of not being able to warn him against trusting certain people. The urgency in the repeated lines of "Don't Walk By, No Retreat, Staring at the sun" conveys a sense of frustration and insistence on taking a stand against injustice. The song culminates in a call for ending the cycle of human destruction and paying homage to the victims of history through taking responsibility for one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Which lie is the one
That will take me
And which war
Which falsehood will lead me to my demise and which war was truly worth fighting?
Generations of wage slave data
Family stories they said don't matter
When the last breath burns
In the throats of Bhopal
Will I feel the blade
When they bury them all
Years of being oppressed and controlled by an unfair system have caused us to forget the important stories of our ancestors. When tragedy strikes, will I be able to feel the pain of those that suffer or will I just become another casualty of this vicious cycle?
Hiding from us
All this time
Ghosts flickering
And out
Of my mind
The truth has been concealed from us for far too long, causing our memories of the past to fade away and blend together until they are nearly forgotten.
Dead End Streets
We walk by
No Retreat
Staring at the sun
Dead End Streets
The blast shadows
Are waiting for an answer
All this time
I'll give them mine
Every day, we walk down streets with no future, forced to endure the harsh consequences of our past decisions. The shadows of our mistakes haunt us, but we refuse to give up and will continue to fight for what we believe in.
If I could
Walk in my grandfather's footsteps
While they glowed in the dark
On his way back from the yard
Where the train was parked
I'd say
Don't turn your back
Don't you trust those bastards
I wish I could say this now
If given the chance, I would follow in my grandfather's footsteps and see for myself the horrors he witnessed during his time. I would warn him to never let his guard down and to never trust the oppressors that seek to control him. Unfortunately, I can no longer have this conversation with him.
Don't Walk By
No retreat
Staring at the sun
Dead End Streets
The blast shadows
Are waiting for an answer
All this time
I'll give them mine
We can't simply ignore the problems and injustices that surround us. We must stand up and fight for what we believe in, even when it may seem hopeless. We refuse to let the shadows of our past consume us and will work tirelessly to make a difference.
Into our history
Not even a letter
To fake a smile
To say 'I'm sorry'
Our trust in this system's dead
The atrocities committed in our past have simply been swept under the rug, with no acknowledgement of the harm caused or any attempt to make amends. Our trust in this corrupt system has crumbled and it is up to us to demand change.
what will it take
To make you sorry?
Hiroshima started in Tennessee
Let it end with me
Let it end
What will it take for those in power to recognize the harm caused and take responsibility for their actions? Hiroshima, an awful tragedy, originated from Tennessee - let this pain end with me and not continue on for future generations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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