The Templars are an Oi! band formed in Long Island, New York in April 1991.… Read Full Bio ↴The Templars are an Oi! band formed in Long Island, New York in April 1991. The band's musical influences include Oi!, punk rock, glam rock and rock and roll. They have tended to purposely use low-quality recording techniques (their Acre Studios is a garage).

The band recognizes Perry Hardy as their full-time bassist and Chris White as full-time guitarist, even though they do not play on the albums (with the exception of Hardy on two albums). The band currently uses a lineup of four musicians for concerts, with a second guitar player, but still usually records as only a two-piece (with Carl Fritscher playing all bass and guitar parts, as well as vocals with Phil Rigaud on drums).

The band's name comes from an ancient order of Christian militants called the Knights Templar. Their focus on Middle Ages history is largely informed by Carl Fritscher (singer/guitarist) and Phil Rigaud's (drummer) studies and interests. A Templars album cover was displayed in a History Channel documentary about the Knights Templar. The narrator states that the legacy of the medieval organization has influenced varied aspects of modern society, including as film, literature and "hardcore punk music."

PRIDE
The Templars Lyrics

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Proud of your heritage, you 're proud of your class
Proud to be a skinhead and scarred for life
Pride burns in your heart and mind
Your source of pride will never die
CHORUS
Pride - 4X
Everybody 's searching for identity, everybody 's trying to fit in
Identity 's important, that 's plain to see

But most important of all I 'm proud to be me
I 've got pride, pride in my class, I 've got pride in my heritage
I 've pride, pride in myself, because you 've got to believe yourself
(repeat verses 1 and 2)

Pride can be a source of division, don 't let your pride distort your vision
Don 't take your pride to extremes, don 't fill your mind with racist dreams

Overall Meaning

The Templars' song "Pride" is an ode to self-acceptance and identity, emphasizing the importance of being proud of one's heritage and class while rejecting extremist and racist beliefs. The lyrics suggest that pride can be a positive force, providing a sense of belonging and self-worth, while cautioning against allowing it to become divisive or distorted. The song celebrates the unique qualities that make individuals who they are, while recognizing the universal desire for a sense of identity and belonging.

The first verse opens with the lines "Proud of your heritage, you're proud of your class / Proud to be a skinhead and scarred for life," highlighting the pride that comes from belonging to a particular group or subculture. However, the chorus then repeats the word "pride" four times, suggesting that this quality is not limited only to those who belong to a specific group. The second verse emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, stating that "most important of all I'm proud to be me."

Overall, the song encourages listeners to embrace their own identities and find pride in who they are, while rejecting extremist or racist views that can lead to division and hatred.

Line by Line Meaning

Proud of your heritage, you 're proud of your class
You are proud of your ethnic and social background.

Proud to be a skinhead and scarred for life
You are proud to be part of a group associated with violence and aggression.

Pride burns in your heart and mind
Your sense of pride is deeply ingrained in your beliefs and emotions.

Your source of pride will never die
You will always hold onto your pride, regardless of circumstances or challenges.

Pride - 4X
The repeated chanting of the word 'pride' emphasizes its significance to the artist and their group.

Everybody's searching for identity, everybody's trying to fit in
Everyone is trying to find their place in the world and belong to a group or community.

Identity's important, that's plain to see
Having a sense of self is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment.

But most important of all I'm proud to be me
Despite being part of a group, the artist recognizes the importance of individuality and self-acceptance.

I've got pride, pride in my class, I've got pride in my heritage
The artist takes pride in their social and ethnic background.

I've pride, pride in myself, because you've got to believe yourself
The artist emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and self-belief as a source of pride.

Pride can be a source of division, don't let your pride distort your vision
The singer acknowledges that excessive pride can lead to intolerance and prejudice, and encourages others to remain grounded in reality.

Don't take your pride to extremes, don't fill your mind with racist dreams
The artist warns against using pride as an excuse for hatred and racism.

Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS