An Honest Misappropriation of Funds
The Snake The Cross The Crown Lyrics
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disturbing your sediments of classic form and thought
wrapped in purposeless veneers of worthless words
and countless years of thievery and hopes of blacker days
but we don't like this not quite one bit
no we don't, no sir
we just won't speak more softly
sleep, sweet sleep
please define our lives for us
so we can can sleep
so we can trust that they are righteous
because after all we are the promised land
we own the promised land
The lyrics in The Snake The Cross The Crown's song An Honest Misappropriation of Funds paint a vivid picture of the human condition, one that is rife with contradictions and paradoxes. The opening lines 'red and yellow through this dirty window pane' are a metaphor for how we see the world through our own limited and distorted lenses. The 'sediments of classic form and thought' represent the entrenched beliefs and traditions that we hold onto, even when they no longer serve us. The 'purposeless veneers of worthless words' are a commentary on how we use language to hide our true intentions, and the 'countless years of thievery and hopes of blacker days' are a reference to how we often give in to our darker impulses.
However, despite our shortcomings and flaws, the song suggests that we still have agency and the power to make a difference. The lyrics 'but we don't like this not quite one bit, no we don't, no sir' indicate that we are aware of the problems and injustices in the world, and we are not content to simply accept them. Even though we may be tempted to 'sleep, sweet sleep' and let others define our lives for us, we ultimately want to be able to trust that those in power are acting with integrity and 'righteousness'. The final line, 'because after all we are the promised land, we own the promised land' is both an acknowledgement of our privilege and a call to action, reminding us that we have a responsibility to use our power and resources for good.
Line by Line Meaning
red and yellow through this dirty window pane
Muddled hues seep in with light through a grimy window
disturbing your sediments of classic form and thought
Challenging long-standing notions of tradition and mindset
wrapped in purposeless veneers of worthless words
Covered in empty language that conveys nothing of substance
and countless years of thievery and hopes of blacker days
Years of theft and bleak expectations have passed by unnoticed
but we don't like this not quite one bit
We are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs
no we don't, no sir
We are resolute in our discontentment
we just won't speak more softly
We will not tone down our voices in order to placate others
safely wanting what we're told to save and hope for
Yearning for what we're instructed to desire in a secure manner
sleep, sweet sleep
A plea for restful slumber
please define our lives for us
Imploring for a clear-cut definition of our existence
so we can can sleep
So that our minds can rest easy
so we can trust that they are righteous
To foster belief that those in power are morally upstanding
because after all we are the promised land
We believe ourselves to be a place of prosperity and abundance
we own the promised land
The land is under our possession and control
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J Lansdale
Yes. 2006