Although Uncle Tupelo broke up before it achieved commercial success, the band is renowned for its impact on the alternative country music scene. The group's first album, No Depression, became a byword for the genre and was widely influential. Uncle Tupelo's sound was unlike popular country music of the time, drawing inspiration from styles as diverse as the hardcore punk of The Minutemen and the country instrumentation and harmony of the Carter Family and Hank Williams. Farrar and Tweedy lyrics frequently referenced Middle America and the working class of Belleville.
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satan, your kingdom must come down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Gonna pray until they tear your kingdom downgonna pray until they tear your kingdom downI heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Satan, your kingdom must come down
In Uncle Tupelo's song "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down," the lyrics express a belief in the power of prayer and the defeat of Satan's reign. The repeated line "Satan, your kingdom must come down" is a declaration of the end of evil and darkness. The voice of Jesus is heard through the lyrics as a powerful source that, when called upon, can bring an end to the devil's domain. The singer's determination to pray and shout until Satan's kingdom falls shows a sense of urgency and an unwavering belief in the ultimate triumph of goodness.
The song is a reinterpretation of a classic gospel song that dates back to the early 1900s. Its powerful lyrics and catchy melody have been covered by various artists throughout the years. Uncle Tupelo's version takes on a more intense and modern sound, with a driving beat and distorted guitar. The band's trademark alt-country style is evident in the instrumentation and delivery, showcasing their ability to infuse traditional elements into contemporary music.
Interestingly, the message of the song can be interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a call for spiritual transformation or a plea for redemption. Others view it as a political statement, underscoring the need for societal change and the overthrow of oppressive systems. Regardless of the interpretation, the song's universal message of hope and resilience resonates with listeners across all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Satan, your kingdom must come down
The singer is addressing Satan and declaring that his kingdom will fall.
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Reiteration of the first line, emphasizing the inevitability of the kingdom's downfall.
I heard the voice of Jesus say
The singer is referencing a spiritual experience of hearing Jesus speak.
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Jesus is heard commanding Satan's kingdom to fall.
Gonna pray until they tear your kingdom down
The singer is resolving to pray until Satan's kingdom crumbles.
Gonna shout until they tear your kingdom down
The singer is resolved to use their voice to help destroy Satan's kingdom.
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Reiteration of the earlier spiritual experience, suggesting the strength of the singer's faith.
Satan, your kingdom must come down
The song concludes with a reiteration of the central message, emphasizing the singer's resolve.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY STUART FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
will tyler
* I am not 16, and I am not listening to this for the first time.
* I do not need anyone to write out the lyrics for me. If I was deaf, I wouldn't be here in the first place.
* I am not commenting after hearing it on a computer game or film soundtrack, or following a recommendation by a minor celebrity. Whilst I acknowledge that other people will have experienced one or more of these things, I am uninterested in hearing their story, however fascinating.
* I promise not to twist this post into an attack on anyone of another race/gender/religion/political persuasion.
* I am not knowingly related to a member of Uncle Tupelo or any of their staff. I have never seen any of these people in real life, and do not have any yarns about how lovely/awful they were/are. I do not feel my life has a gaping hole due to this fact.
* I do not feel this song would be improved by a fan-made video featuring an overly literal parade of photographs/clips hawked from other fan-made videos, particularly if said films were knocked out by someone who just about scraped on to a media studies course when they left school.
* I have no urge to make overblown claims viz. the song's superiority over every other tune recorded since the birth of Edison.
*I do not think a thumbs down for this song suggests that the Devil watches YouTube. I'm sure he's too busy right now.
*I do not think Uncle Tupelo was/is The Most Under-Rated Band In The History Of Western Music. If any band members were/are geniuses, I am happy for them, but don't need anyone to explain why. Thanks anyway.
* I do not eagerly anticipate a homemade clip featuring a "dude" in a baseball cap having their mind blown by this song's sheer, unadulterated magnificence. "Dude" in this case should not be taken to indicate a specific age, race, gender (biological or otherwise), or nationality. Incidentally, a contributor wearing a baseball cap shouldn't be. If, like me, you're bald you're also past the point where anyone else cares. Wear a bit of dignity instead.
* I have not recently lost a family member, and do not know of anyone, deceased or otherwise, who has loved this song to a ridiculous degree.
* I am not here because I need validation from strangers whom I will never meet and whose opinions, if only in their own estimation, have more worth than my own. This includes the ones who can barely spell their own names.
* I am not especially interested if fellow commentators hope that I die because my tastes differ from theirs, however minutely. It is statistically likely that I have been listening to music for longer than them, and I like to think I actually have got a fucking clue what I'm talking about. It is probably easier all round if they just humour me in this.
* I seriously doubt that the presence of cowbells, in whatever magnitude, would improve this track.
Lightblue Hsiao
The talented band made an amazing album. It's just beautiful.
Jay Bowcott
dude this song is so stupidly good.. amazing version.. love when jeff does this by himself as well.
trfesok
I guess a lot of people recorded this, including Robert Plant. So, I put both versions in my LZ playlist. Thanks for the upload!
Chris Shepherd
UT these guys are great country? Rock? Folk? Alt country? Who cares they're just fucking good!
will tyler
* I am not 16, and I am not listening to this for the first time.
* I do not need anyone to write out the lyrics for me. If I was deaf, I wouldn't be here in the first place.
* I am not commenting after hearing it on a computer game or film soundtrack, or following a recommendation by a minor celebrity. Whilst I acknowledge that other people will have experienced one or more of these things, I am uninterested in hearing their story, however fascinating.
* I promise not to twist this post into an attack on anyone of another race/gender/religion/political persuasion.
* I am not knowingly related to a member of Uncle Tupelo or any of their staff. I have never seen any of these people in real life, and do not have any yarns about how lovely/awful they were/are. I do not feel my life has a gaping hole due to this fact.
* I do not feel this song would be improved by a fan-made video featuring an overly literal parade of photographs/clips hawked from other fan-made videos, particularly if said films were knocked out by someone who just about scraped on to a media studies course when they left school.
* I have no urge to make overblown claims viz. the song's superiority over every other tune recorded since the birth of Edison.
*I do not think a thumbs down for this song suggests that the Devil watches YouTube. I'm sure he's too busy right now.
*I do not think Uncle Tupelo was/is The Most Under-Rated Band In The History Of Western Music. If any band members were/are geniuses, I am happy for them, but don't need anyone to explain why. Thanks anyway.
* I do not eagerly anticipate a homemade clip featuring a "dude" in a baseball cap having their mind blown by this song's sheer, unadulterated magnificence. "Dude" in this case should not be taken to indicate a specific age, race, gender (biological or otherwise), or nationality. Incidentally, a contributor wearing a baseball cap shouldn't be. If, like me, you're bald you're also past the point where anyone else cares. Wear a bit of dignity instead.
* I have not recently lost a family member, and do not know of anyone, deceased or otherwise, who has loved this song to a ridiculous degree.
* I am not here because I need validation from strangers whom I will never meet and whose opinions, if only in their own estimation, have more worth than my own. This includes the ones who can barely spell their own names.
* I am not especially interested if fellow commentators hope that I die because my tastes differ from theirs, however minutely. It is statistically likely that I have been listening to music for longer than them, and I like to think I actually have got a fucking clue what I'm talking about. It is probably easier all round if they just humour me in this.
* I seriously doubt that the presence of cowbells, in whatever magnitude, would improve this track.
TheBS1000
I acknowledge your comment.
Ryan Carney
will tyler that was beautiful...
TMcR92
@imsuckingwind It's a traditional tune, man. I'm sure nobody really knows who originally wrote it
wildebt
8 freemasons disliked this
JIPALIG
Yeah i havent heard anywhere about jeff ebing an atheist, but he certainly holds alot of disdain for religion.