Hard Line
The Elders Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Donaghues closed up tight tonight as I wander the streets of town,
Too late to get drunk, too early to pray, too cold to lay back down.
The union says we're all for one but the boss man's locked us out,
And the Governor sent the goon squad,
Showing us what he's all about.

Well I used to work the factory, but the lines have moved on,
With hand to mouth so far between, the golden times are gone.
So I called in all my favors, turned over every stone,
And ran down every number from my finger to the bone!

Now a hard line's been handed down,
From Sligo jail to London town.
If ever a time of need my boys, that time is now!
After all they've taken there's nothing left,
But our lives to lay down.
We can leave tonight or bloody well fight!
A hard line's been handed down!

Now the loyal opposition is sharpening up their knives,
They got ‘em out to twist and shout,
"Just give us back our lives"!
They're marching to Jerusalem,
They're fighting in the fields.
‘Til the mother's son comes home again and all will be revealed!

(Bridge)

Now if anyone has a problem with the noise that we have made,
With truncheons and brass knuckles we can easily persuade!
Those leaders of all nations that grind their people down,
With lies and spies and bayonets, we'll put them in the ground!

Now a hard line's been handed down,
From Sligo jail to London town.
If ever a time of need my boys, that time is now!
After all they've taken there's nothing left,
But our lives to lay down.




We can leave tonight or bloody well fight!
A hard line's been handed down!

Overall Meaning

The Elders' song "Hard Line" is a politically charged ballad that explores themes of labor and social justice. The song centers on the struggles of workers who have been locked out of their factory jobs by their boss and the government. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of life for the working class, with references to the closure of local bars, the loss of opportunity, and the erosion of community. The chorus asserts that "a hard line's been handed down," and calls on the people to stand up for their rights and either leave town or fight back against their oppressors.


The song's verses are full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. Lines like "too late to get drunk, too early to pray" and "with hand to mouth so far between, the golden times are gone" evoke a sense of hopelessness and desperation. The chorus is catchy and anthemic, with a call-and-response structure that makes it easy for audiences to join in.


Overall, "Hard Line" is an inspiring and empowering song that encourages people to take action against injustice. It speaks to the timeless struggles of the working class, and reminds us that we are all in this together.


Line by Line Meaning

Donaghues closed up tight tonight as I wander the streets of town,
The singer is walking through an empty town at night where nothing is open, feeling lost and alone.


Too late to get drunk, too early to pray, too cold to lay back down.
The singer feels like they are in a limbo between indulging in vices and finding solace in religion, but the cold weather hinders both options.


The union says we're all for one but the boss man's locked us out,
Although the union encourages solidarity among the workers, the manager has prevented them from doing their job by locking them out of the workplace.


And the Governor sent the goon squad, Showing us what he's all about.
The Governor has sent a group of violent enforcers to intimidate and control the workers, revealing his true nature and intentions.


Well I used to work the factory, but the lines have moved on, With hand to mouth so far between, the golden times are gone.
The artist used to work in a manufacturing job, but the industry has shifted and left them struggling to make ends meet.


So I called in all my favors, turned over every stone, And ran down every number from my finger to the bone!
The singer has exhausted all their resources and connections to find a way out of their current situation.


Now a hard line's been handed down, From Sligo jail to London town.
The authorities have made a strict and uncompromising decision that affects everyone in the region.


If ever a time of need my boys, that time is now! After all they've taken there's nothing left, But our lives to lay down.
This is a crucial moment for action, as the workers have lost everything and their only remaining asset is their own lives.


We can leave tonight or bloody well fight! A hard line's been handed down!
The workers have two options: flee the area or stand up and fight against the oppressive forces at hand.


Now the loyal opposition is sharpening up their knives, They got ‘em out to twist and shout, "Just give us back our lives"!
The opposition party is rallying its members and demanding change by any means necessary, including violent action.


They're marching to Jerusalem, They're fighting in the fields. ‘Til the mother's son comes home again and all will be revealed!
The opposition is mobilizing to fight on multiple fronts until they are victorious, and only then will the truth be known.


Now if anyone has a problem with the noise that we have made, With truncheons and brass knuckles we can easily persuade!
The workers are not afraid to use violence to defend themselves and their cause against dissenters.


Those leaders of all nations that grind their people down, With lies and spies and bayonets, we'll put them in the ground!
The workers are fed up with rulers who oppress their citizens, and are willing to go to extreme lengths to overthrow them.




Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions