Raising Cain
The Mission Lyrics

The lyrics of The Mission’s song Raising Cain are a response to the frustration caused by the artificiality in human behavior. The opening line "I'm sick and tired of this masquerade" sets up the theme of the song, where the singer gradually grows more and more irritated by the insincerity of society, particularly the games people play to avoid confrontation. The chorus "Too late now to wrap me up in chains, too late now to bite my tongue" gives a sense of the character's suppressed anger, preparing to unleash the "raising cain". An embodiment of the message "be true to yourself", the song urges the listener to break free from the social constructs that are holding them back and embrace their authentic selves even if it means going against the norm.

The line "The chip on your shoulder is a monkey on my back" refers to how one person's emotional burden and negativity are in turn an inconvenience to someone else, and "you steal the glory, I'll take the flak" is a reference to how people often blame others when things don't go as planned. The use of the metaphor of a train to describe society's progression signifies how one must be mindful not to get caught in the customs and inauthenticity of the times. The final line "the gift of masque was like pearls before swine" is referencing Matthew 7:6 in the Bible, which admonishes against casting your pearls before swine, taking valuable things to people who cannot appreciate them. It is a warning not to waste oneself in a society whose valuable traditions and ideals are wasted on those who do not even realize them.