America
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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Came upon the shore
Found you were conquering America
You spoke of peace
But waged a war
While you were conquering America
There was land to take
While you were conquering America
You served yourself
Did God's will
While you were conquering America
The ghost of Columbus haunts this world
'Cause you're still conquering America
The meek won't survive
Or inherit the earth
Cause you're still conquering America
America [Repeat: x3]
You found bodies to serve
Submit and degrade
While you were conquering America
Made us soldiers and junkies
Prisoners and slaves
While you were conquering America
America [Repeat: x3]
You hands are at my throat
My back's against the wall
Because you're still conquering America
We're sick and tired hungry and poor
Cause you're still conquering America
You bomb the very ground
That feeds your own babies
You're still conquering America
Your sons and your daughters
May never sing your praises
While you're conquering America
America [Repeat: x3]
I see you eyes seek a distant shore
While you're conquering America
Taking rockets to the moon
Trying to find a new world
And you're still conquering America
America [Repeat: x3]
The ghost of Columbus haunts this world
Cause you're still conquering America
You're still conquering America
You're still conquering America
Tracy Chapman's "America" is a hard-hitting critique of the dark history of the United States of America – a commentary on the violence, exploitation, and injustices that were perpetrated by the colonizers and conquerors of the land. The song speaks of the early settlers who came to America, expecting to find a peaceful and prosperous land, but ended up taking lives, land, and freedom from the indigenous peoples. It highlights the hypocrisy of the colonizers who spoke of peace but waged wars, serving their own interests and claiming to do God's will.
Chapman laments the fact that the exploitation and violence that started with the earliest conquerors continue to this day. The meek and the weak are still oppressed, and the rich and powerful still reign. The song references how the government has continued to wage war, and how the United States' role in global politics is often about exerting dominance and control. Chapman paints a picture of a country that has lost its way, with the values of opportunity, equality, and fairness appearing to be out of reach.
Overall, the lyrics of "America" are a powerful reminder that while the United States has achieved much, there is still much to do in terms of addressing the injustices of the past and present.
Line by Line Meaning
You were lost and got lucky
You stumbled upon America by chance
Came upon the shore
You arrived at the coast of America
Found you were conquering America
You realized that you could overtake and control America
You spoke of peace
You claimed to want harmony
But waged a war
In reality, you fought violently
While you were conquering America
Throughout the process of overtaking America
There was land to take
You took possession of the land
And people to kill
You killed the existing inhabitants
You served yourself
Your actions benefited only yourself
Did God's will
You justified your actions by claiming to do God's work
The ghost of Columbus haunts this world
The legacy of Columbus' actions still lingers on
'Cause you're still conquering America
Because the same kind of harmful actions are still being carried out
The meek won't survive
Those who are weak will not thrive
Or inherit the earth
They will not gain dominion over the earth
You found bodies to serve
You exploited people for your own benefit
Submit and degrade
You forced submission and humiliation upon these people
Made us soldiers and junkies
You turned people into soldiers and addicts
Prisoners and slaves
You kept people captive and enslaved them
You hands are at my throat
You are suffocating and oppressing me
My back's against the wall
I have nowhere to turn and I am trapped
Because you're still conquering America
Your actions are still causing harm
We're sick and tired hungry and poor
We are suffering and struggling
You bomb the very ground
You destroy the very foundations that sustain life
That feeds your own babies
Even your own children are not immune to the consequences of your actions
Your sons and your daughters
Your offspring
May never sing your praises
They may not be proud of your actions
I see you eyes seek a distant shore
You are always looking elsewhere, never satisfied with what you have
Taking rockets to the moon
You are searching for new opportunities beyond Earth
Trying to find a new world
You are continually seeking out new conquests
You're still conquering America
You persist in harming the land and its people
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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