Storm the Bastille
The Angels Lyrics


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Aristocrats held all the cards
The rules they made kept the people barred
And when the king refused to share their rights
They knew this time he'd gone to far
The palace guards have guns and mace
To keep the marchers in their place
But even if they restless blood should run
The choice was made, the breakdown had begun.
The tower falls, the flag is changed
The new one still looks much the same.
While nameless faces sit for portrait painters
About to see it all again.
Whose hand is seen as open,
Whose hands are bound ?




Who wears the cap, who wears the crown ?
Storm The Bastille.

Overall Meaning

The Angels' song "Storm the Bastille" is about the French Revolution, specifically the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. The lyrics describe the social and political circumstances leading up to the revolution, in which the aristocrats held all the power and oppressed the people with their rules and laws. When King Louis XVI refused to share his authority, it became evident that he had gone too far, and the people knew that they had to rise up against him.


The lyric also depicts the resistance that the marchers faced from the palace guards, who used guns and mace to keep them from advancing. Despite the bloodshed that may result, the choice had been made, and the breakdown of the aristocratic regime had begun. The song's chorus calls on the people to "Storm the Bastille," which they eventually did, leading to the downfall of the French monarchy.


The lyric offers a commentary on the conflict between the haves and the have-nots and the struggle for power and equality that has been fought throughout history. The Bastille became a symbol of French radicalism and nationalism, and the storming of it marked the beginning of the end for the ancien régime. The song's message is one of hope and rebellion and the idea that freedom and justice are worth fighting for, even if it means shedding blood.


Line by Line Meaning

Aristocrats held all the cards
The upper classes had all the power and influence.


The rules they made kept the people barred
The laws and regulations the aristocrats created kept the common people oppressed.


And when the king refused to share their rights
When the king did not want to give the common people the same rights as the aristocrats.


They knew this time he'd gone too far
The common people thought that the king had overstepped his boundaries.


The palace guards have guns and mace
The guards at the palace were heavily armed to deal with any protests.


To keep the marchers in their place
To prevent the demonstrators from advancing past the palace gates.


But even if their restless blood should run
Even if the people were to start shedding blood during the protests.


The choice was made, the breakdown had begun.
The decision had already been made, and the people had begun to rebel.


The tower falls, the flag is changed
The old system collapsed, and a new one took its place.


The new one still looks much the same.
However, the new system is not different from the old one in many ways.


While nameless faces sit for portrait painters
Even the ordinary citizens who contributed to the revolution were forgotten quickly.


About to see it all again.
The people were bound to repeat the same mistakes.


Whose hand is seen as open,
Who is perceived as being generous and just towards the people.


Whose hands are bound ?
Who is powerless to help the people due to the constraints of their role.


Who wears the cap, who wears the crown ?
Who is ultimately in charge and responsible for the welfare of the people?


Storm The Bastille.
Revolt against the ruling class and their oppressive system.




Contributed by Noah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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