Bangkok
Vai Steve Lyrics
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No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail
She is eternal
Long before nations' lines were drawn
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair.
She is the constant, we who don't care
And you wonder will I leave her -- but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now.
How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart.
The lyrics of Vai Steve's "Bangkok" are an ode to the love and dedication that Anatoly, the singer of the musical Chess, feels towards his homeland. The first stanza of the song asserts that no external force can conquer or possess his country's heart, as it has existed since time immemorial. The lines "when no flags flew, when no armies stood, my land was born" evoke the idea of a primordial, timeless, and essential bond between Anatoly and his homeland. The refrain "She is eternal" reinforces this idea of a spiritual and unbreakable connection.
The second stanza of the song answers the question that many might ask Anatoly: How can you love your country, despite all the hardships, wars, and injustices that you have suffered? The answer is that his country is not just a geographical or political entity, but a part of his identity, a constant that remains despite the shifting tides of history. The line "she is the constant, we who don't care" implies that many people take their nation for granted, or even despise it, but Anatoly cherishes it as a source of strength and belonging.
The last stanza of the song expresses Anatoly's conviction that he can never truly leave his homeland, even if he physically crosses its borders. His land's only borders are the ones that delineate his heart, and as long as he lives, he will carry his country with him, wherever he goes. The line "let man's petty nations tear themselves apart" suggests that Anatoly sees the conflicts and rivalries between nations as futile and petty, compared to the deeper bond he shares with his own land.
Overall, the song "Bangkok" is a poignant and powerful tribute to the idea of national identity, loyalty, and belonging, seen through the eyes of a complex and conflicted character.
Line by Line Meaning
No man, no madness
Regardless of how powerful or mad any person may be,
Though their sad power may prevail
Although they may have some temporary success,
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
No one can truly possess or conquer the heart of my country.
They rise to fail
Ultimately, those who attempt to do so will fail.
She is eternal
My country is everlasting and unchanging.
Long before nations' lines were drawn
My country existed before any national borders were established.
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
Even before any military or political powers existed.
My land was born.
My country always existed, and it is an inherent part of me.
And you ask me why I love her
People often question why I feel such strong love for my country,
Through wars, death and despair.
Even through dark times like war and hardship.
She is the constant, we who don't care
My country remains a constant amidst a world where many do not care.
And you wonder will I leave her -- but how?
People wonder if I will abandon my country, yet it is inseparable from my identity, so how could I?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now.
Even if I physically leave the borders of my country, it remains within me wherever I go.
How can I leave her?
It is impossible for me to truly abandon my country.
Where would I start?
There isn't even a starting point for me to attempt to leave because my connection to my country is so fundamental.
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
Rather than waste time and effort on petty disputes between nations,
My land's only borders lie around my heart.
My country's only true borders are around my heart, as it is an essential part of who I am.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIM RICE, BENNY GORAN BROR ANDERSSON, BJOERN K. ULVAEUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind