Black Friday
The Homeless Gospel Choir Lyrics
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Are chomping at the bit.
To fill their shopping carts.
With debt and greed and shit.
They wake up in the morning.
Around 4: 28.
So they can get to the box-store.
And find a parking space.
They made a shopping list.
They push and shove to get ahead.
With barbed-wire 'round their fist.
A woman died in Walmart.
To buy her family gifts.
She had no idea.
It was the last day she would live.
So if you go out shopping.
On Black Friday this year.
It may be the last time.
We see you around here. ...
Jesus Christ!
Didn't die!
For you to be an asshole!
He didn't come to make.
War for oil's sake!
And blame it.
On people.
Who are different!
The Homeless Gospel Choir's song Black Friday is a satirical commentary on the culture surrounding the now infamous shopping holiday. The song takes a critical look at the rampant consumerism, greed, and disregard for others that seems to accompany the day. The opening lines set the tone by describing shoppers chomping at the bit, filling their shopping carts with debt and greed, and waking up early to secure a parking spot. The song goes on to describe the chaos that ensues as shoppers push and shove their way through stores with barbed-wire 'round their fists, all in the name of saving a few bucks on material goods.
The lyrics take a particularly dark turn when the singer describes a woman who died while shopping at Walmart, trying to buy gifts for her loved ones. The singer reminds us that life is fragile and that it is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of consumerism without considering the well-being of ourselves and others. The song ends with a powerful reminder that Jesus did not come to make war for oil's sake, but rather to love and care for all people, regardless of their differences.
Overall, this song is a powerful critique of our society's obsession with material goods and the ways in which we are willing to trample over others in order to obtain them. The song encourages listeners to consider the impact of their actions and to think critically about the values they hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Black Friday shoppers.
The people who participate in the intense shopping day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday.
Are chomping at the bit.
They are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to start shopping and spending money.
To fill their shopping carts.
Their main objective is to fill their carts with as many items as possible, regardless of whether they need them or not.
With debt and greed and shit.
Their shopping habits are fueled by their desire for material possessions and their willingness to go into debt to acquire them.
They wake up in the morning.
These shoppers wake up incredibly early in the morning to participate in the shopping frenzy.
Around 4: 28.
They wake up close to 4:30 in the morning, in the dead of night, just to start shopping.
So they can get to the box-store.
They do this in order to get to the large chain stores that offer big discounts on Black Friday.
And find a parking space.
Finding a place to park can be difficult on this busy shopping day, so they want to get there early to secure a spot.
They clipped out all the coupons.
They spend a lot of time beforehand gathering coupons to maximize their savings.
They made a shopping list.
They come prepared with a shopping list of everything they plan to buy that day.
They push and shove to get ahead.
They resort to aggressive and sometimes violent tactics to get first dibs on the best deals.
With barbed-wire 'round their fist.
They are so determined to get what they want that they are willing to fight and hurt others in the process.
A woman died in Walmart.
Tragically, a woman lost her life while shopping in Walmart on Black Friday.
To buy her family gifts.
She was trying to do something kind and thoughtful for her loved ones by purchasing gifts.
She had no idea.
She had no way of knowing that this would be the last day of her life.
It was the last day she would live.
Unfortunately, she passed away as a result of the chaos and danger of Black Friday shopping.
So if you go out shopping.
The singer is warning listeners not to participate in this dangerous and harmful shopping experience.
On Black Friday this year.
This is directed specifically at those who may be considering participating in this year's Black Friday shopping event.
It may be the last time.
The singer is reminding listeners that participating in Black Friday shopping could result in serious consequences, even death.
We see you around here. ...
This could be interpreted as a warning that the listener may not live to see another Black Friday if they participate in it.
Jesus Christ!
The singer's exclamation expresses frustration with the greed and violence associated with Black Friday shopping.
Didn't die!
The singer is pointing out that Jesus did not sacrifice his life for people to behave in such an aggressive and unkind manner.
For you to be an asshole!
The singer is admonishing the selfish and aggressive behavior of Black Friday shoppers as being completely antithetical to the teachings of Christ.
He didn't come to make.
The singer goes on to criticize society's tendency to go to war over things like oil and other material possessions.
War for oil's sake!
This is a commentary on how human greed can lead to violent conflicts and even wars.
And blame it.
The singer seems to be suggesting that people often blame others for their own shortcomings, such as societal issues and political strife.
On people.
This could be a reference to those who are marginalized or blamed for society's problems, rather than recognizing the true cause.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.