Afraid of the World
The Stanfields Lyrics
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By a fool with a big stick and tiny hands
Promised a wall, talked about greatness
And dared to speak for me
I'm not afraid of the world
I'm not afraid of the world
I'm afraid of big money
The cold one percent
Claiming the high ground when everything's spent
But I'm not afraid of the world
I'm not afraid of the world
A line was drawn in the sand
By a fool who claimed to be freedom's last stand
Tore up accords, arrested the neighbours
And dared to speak for me
I'm not afraid of the world
I'm not afraid of the world
I'm afraid of big talkers who act like they know
Sacrifice, struggle and life down below
The dizzying heights of the status quo
But I'm not afraid of the world
I'm not afraid of the world
As midnight approaches
An ominous cry from the wolves on the hill
And the hawks in the sky
Turn plowshare to sword!
Turn letters to lead!
Now enough with the discourse
And bring out your dead!
Sleep in the knowledge
That somebody poorer than you
Is fodder for another useless war
Waged upon children
Smote from afar
By a hellfire volley and a victory cigar.
I'm not afraid of the world
It's afraid of me
I'm not afraid of the world
It's afraid of me
I'm not afraid of the world
It's afraid of me
It's afraid of me
It's afraid of me
It's afraid of me
In The Stanfields' song "Afraid of the World," the lyrics describe a world that is divided and full of fear. The line drawn in the sand by a fool with a big stick and tiny hands represents a political leader (presumably Donald Trump) who promised to build a wall and make the country great again. The singer is not afraid of the world itself but expresses fear of the wealthy 1%, who cast him out when he can't pay the rent and claim the high ground when everything's spent. The fear of big talkers who act like they know is also expressed, representing politicians who make empty promises to the masses to secure their votes but fail to deliver.
The midnight approaching represents a time of uncertainty and danger, as the wolves on the hill and hawks in the sky ready themselves for battle. The call to turn plowshare to sword and letters to lead suggests that even the peaceful and intellectual parts of society are joining in the war. The call to bring out the dead implies that these wars are not only violent but also senseless, with many people dying for causes they don't understand. The final lines of the song reveal the singer's resolve: he's not afraid of the world, but rather the world is afraid of him. This suggests an empowerment in the face of fear, as the singer refuses to be intimidated and instead takes a stance of courage and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
A line was drawn in the sand
A boundary was marked
By a fool with a big stick and tiny hands
By someone who has power and authority but lacks wisdom and grace
Promised a wall, talked about greatness
Made false promises and boasted about their own superiority
And dared to speak for me
Assumed they knew what I wanted or needed without consulting me
I'm not afraid of the world
I am not intimidated by the challenges I face
I'm afraid of big money
I am concerned about the influence of wealth and power on society
The cold one percent
The richest and most privileged members of society
Casting me out when I can't pay the rent
Excluding me when I am unable to meet financial obligations
Claiming the high ground when everything's spent
Asserting moral superiority when resources have been depleted
By a fool who claimed to be freedom's last stand
By someone who proclaimed themselves to be the defender of liberty, but didn't act accordingly
Tore up accords, arrested the neighbours
Cancelled agreements and detained fellow citizens without just cause
I'm afraid of big talkers who act like they know
I am wary of those who make grandiose claims, but lack credibility or experience
Sacrifice, struggle and life down below
The hardships and challenges faced by those on the bottom rungs of society
The dizzying heights of the status quo
The positions of power and privilege held by the elite
As midnight approaches
As time runs out or a crisis looms
An ominous cry from the wolves on the hill
A foreboding warning from those who are poised to attack
And the hawks in the sky
And those who are eager to engage in conflict or war
Turn plowshare to sword!
Transform peaceful tools into weapons of war
Turn letters to lead!
Turn the written word into ammunition for violence
Now enough with the discourse
Now is the time for action, not debate
And bring out your dead!
And prepare for the casualties of war
Sleep in the knowledge
Rest assured
That somebody poorer than you
That someone less fortunate or less powerful than you
Is fodder for another useless war
Will be used as cannon fodder in a pointless conflict
Waged upon children
Fought at the expense of innocent and vulnerable young people
Smote from afar
Attacked from a distance, without regard for human suffering
By a hellfire volley and a victory cigar.
Using brutal and devastating methods to achieve a temporary sense of triumph
I'm not afraid of the world
I am confident in my ability to face adversity
It's afraid of me
The world is apprehensive of my courage and resilience
It's afraid of me
The world is intimidated by my determination and strength
It's afraid of me
The world is fearful of my ability to overcome obstacles
It's afraid of me
The world is cowed by my defiance and willpower
It's afraid of me
The world is scared of my refusal to back down or give up
Writer(s): Jonathan Landry, Calen Kinney, Jason Macisaac, Mark Todd Murphy, Dillan Tate
Contributed by Liam G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sandy Beach
Deeply layered, impactful tune. One that gets better with every listen. And the first time is grand.
lacey Macpherson
Love this. So stoked for the new album ❤️
Adam Christian Sigrist
You guys never disappoint. Would love to see you out in Denver, CO!
The Stanfields
Thanks Adam! That'd be great, hopefully we'll be there at some point. Starting to push ourselves more into the U.S. market starting this summer with some festivals, then hopefully more & more in 2019! :)
Barbara Ojeda
Great song, waiting for the new album😄
The Stanfields
Thanks
ClaudeoRacing
I love this song. Greetings from Argentina!.
The Stanfields
Hi! :)
roy taylor
You guys have your finger on a pulse. For moi, personally, anthem material in the making.
The Stanfields
Thanks!