1. A rapper/produ… Read Full Bio ↴Tree is the name of at least 11 different artists:
1. A rapper/producer from Chicago, Illinois, United States
2. A psychedelic band from Israel
3. A hardcore band from Massachusetts, United States
4. A grindcore band from Kansas, United States
5. A rock band active in the 1960's
6. A singer/songwriter from California, United States
7. A pop singer from Australia
8. A rock band from Australia (now called Treehouse)
9. A Christian rock band from South Africa (now called Tree63)
10. Project of Oliver Nickell from San Francisco, California (now Oliver Tree)
11. An alternative indie rock band from Japan https://tree6.bandcamp.com/
Get in the Way
Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So the lock him yeah they lock him up
In maximum security
They lock him up to shut him up
Found guilty in Philly for shooting a cop
Evidence of innocence but charges don't drop
No matter what's right or wrong
They've been after him for too damn wrong
IF YOU GET IN THE WAY
A Black Panther at the age of fifteen
Born to rage against the racist machine
Laying down the facts what it's like to be black
Not treated like a human being
A love for life is something that he proved
Wrote about John Africa
He wrote about Move
Wrote about the Philly cops
And the bomb they dropped
Burned down a city block
YOU GET IN THE WAY YOU GET WASTED
IF YOU GET IN THE WAY
You can cage my body but my spirit flies free
Your bars made of steel can not hold what feel
Living in this country well I've got pray
Because they crucify a Christ every single day
Sabo let the heads roll
Death row what a brother know
So quick to execute before they give a new trial
That's capitol punishment American style
They've done it once they'll do it again
They'll execute an innocent man
In “Get in the Way,” by Tree, the singer-songwriter tells a story of a man who fought for justice and equality but was ultimately imprisoned for daring to speak out against the injustices suffered by Black Americans. The first verse describes how this man was locked up in maximum security for speaking truth to power. He was found guilty of shooting a cop in Philly, even though evidence showed his innocence. Despite this injustice, the authorities were determined to silence him because he got in the way of their corruption.
The second verse tells us more about this man's backstory. He joined the Black Panther Party at a young age because he was born into a world where racism and prejudice were rampant. He used his voice and pen to write about the real experiences of Black people, how they were treated as less than human beings. He wrote about John Africa, and his writings challenged the oppressive system of the Philly cops. But when they dropped a bomb that destroyed an entire city block, he crossed the line and was silenced.
The chorus of “Get in the Way” reveals the harsh truth about life when you resist the system's injustice. Getting in the way means getting wasted, meaning you will be punished for daring to challenge the status quo. Tree's mournful tone serves to remind us that systemic injustice still exists and that it can be a dangerous game when you attempt to change things.
Line by Line Meaning
A voice of reason in all this insanity
Despite the chaos surrounding him, he remains principled and level-headed.
So the lock him yeah they lock him up
They incarcerate him, silencing his voice by force.
In maximum security
They imprison him in the most severe and restrictive conditions.
They lock him up to shut him up
The true motivation for his imprisonment is to stifle his dissent and opposition.
Found guilty in Philly for shooting a cop
He was convicted of crime in Philadelphia for allegedly shooting a police officer.
Evidence of innocence but charges don't drop
Despite the exculpatory evidence, the charges persist and the legal process doesn't cease.
No matter what's right or wrong
Regardless of principles or morality.
They've been after him for too damn long
This persecution and intimidation has persisted for an unreasonable amount of time.
YOU GET IN THE WAY YOU GET WASTED
The dangerous consequences when one impedes the power structure and disrupts the status quo.
IF YOU GET IN THE WAY
If you become an obstacle to the interests of those in power.
A Black Panther at the age of fifteen
He became a member of the Black Panther Party when he was only fifteen years old.
Born to rage against the racist machine
He was born into a world of racial oppression and resisted it.
Laying down the facts what it's like to be black
He speaks his truth about the realities of being black in America.
Not treated like a human being
The constant discrimination and dehumanization he witnessed and experienced.
A love for life is something that he proved
His enthusiasm for living and resistance in the face of oppression is evident.
Wrote about John Africa
He wrote about the political and cultural ideas of the founder of the MOVE organization.
He wrote about Move
He wrote about the organization that he was affiliated with and that fought against oppression.
Wrote about the Philly cops
He commented on the conduct and policies of the Philadelphia Police Department.
And the bomb they dropped
He wrote about the infamous bombing of the MOVE house in Philadelphia.
Burned down a city block
The destructive and lethal aftermath of the bombing.
You can cage my body but my spirit flies free
He may be physically confined, but his mind and soul are unbroken.
Your bars made of steel can not hold what feel
The emotional and spiritual resistance to oppression cannot be contained.
Living in this country well I've got pray
To survive in America, he relies on his faith and hope for change.
Because they crucify a Christ every single day
In a society that oppresses the marginalized, there are daily acts of persecution and violence against the innocent.
Sabo let the heads roll
Referring to the executioner who carries out death sentences on behalf of the state.
Death row what a brother know
He knows the reality and fear of being on death row, facing imminent execution.
So quick to execute before they give a new trial
The justice system in America is eager to execute people without considering new evidence or retrial.
That's capital punishment American style
Capital punishment in America is a form of state-sponsored violence that often targets the marginalized and oppressed.
They've done it once they'll do it again
The state has a pattern of executing people, including those who are innocent.
They'll execute an innocent man
The justice system is flawed and is capable of killing people who are actually innocent.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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