The band's first record, Fatboy (1992), established the band as a favorite of the same 1990s scene that became popular through bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. moe. has toured with the 1997 Furthur Festival, appeared at Woodstock '99, have played in Central Park, were the opening band for The Allman Brothers and The Who, and performed at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve 2006 and 2007.
They also host the annual festival moe.down at Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. Started in 2000, the festival runs for three days and occurs every Labor Day weekend. The festival has attracted a wide variety of musical talent. Acts range from newer bands just emerging onto the scene (such as Tea Leaf Green, Nellie McKay and Raq) to big name acts and jam rock staples, such as Les Claypool, Blues Traveler, and Mike Gordon (of Phish fame); to pop rock icons, such as Leo Kottke, The Flaming Lips, The Violent Femmes; and most recently, Perry Farrell. Each year, the amount of moe.down attendees has steadily increased. moe.down I attracted around 3,000 people while moe.down VI in 2005, had attracted close to 7,000.
During an interview, guitarist Al Schnier was asked to describe moe. for those who have never heard their music: "It's an amalgamation of a wide variety of the history of rock, all regurgitated and recycled through the eyes, ears, hands, whatever of the guys in our band and all of that with a sense of adventure, a sense of humor, also a constant desire to push the envelope. All in this arena of taking chances, improvising live, and making things up on the spot."
Their official site can be found at www.moe.org
The Harder They Come
moe. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you're born and when you die
No, they never even seem to hear your cry
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
Well, the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down
Trying to drag my body me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they've done
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Well, the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Well, I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Well, the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Well, the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
What I say, what I say
The harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
The lyrics of "The Harder They Come" by moe. are a powerful commentary on the struggles of life and the injustices faced by individuals. The first verse talks about the false hope of a pie in the sky waiting for someone once they die. The metaphorical implication is that this false hope is often given to individuals to keep them appeased and to prevent them from rebelling against their current situation. The line "But between the day you're born and when you die, no, they never even seem to hear your cry" implies that the struggles and voices of people are mostly ignored by those in power. However, the singer is ready to fight and claim what is rightfully theirs, as "As sure as the sun will shine, I'm gonna get my share of what's mine."
The second verse delves deeper into the struggles of the oppressed, who are constantly facing obstacles and discrimination. The line "Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down, trying to drag my body underground" paints a vivid picture of their struggles. The singer, however, chooses forgiveness instead of hatred towards their oppressors, as "I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they've done." Again, the singer emphasizes their determination to fight and not give up, as "I'm gonna get my share of what's mine."
The final verse once again stresses the importance of fighting for freedom, even if it means death. The line "But I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave" is a powerful statement about the struggles and sacrifices made by people who fight for their rights. The line "The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all" is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the idea that everyone, even those in power, will eventually fall.
Overall, "The Harder They Come" is a powerful anthem about the struggles faced by oppressed individuals and their determination to fight for what's rightfully theirs.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they tell me of a pie up in the sky
People talk about an afterlife filled with infinite rewards
Waiting for me when I die
That greatness is waiting for me in heaven - a reward for living a good life
But between the day you're born and when you die
During your life one will face struggles but there is no guarantee of any reward after death
No, they never even seem to hear your cry
It may feel like no one is looking out for you no matter how tough things become.
As sure as the sun will shine
It's a fact that I will get my fair share no matter what
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
I'll receive what I am owed
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
The more difficult the struggle, the harder the oppressors will fail in the end
One and all
No one will succeed against the hopes and dreams of the oppressed
Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down
The ruling class is trying to limit my potential
Trying to drag my body me underground
Their actions may lead to my ultimate demise
And they think that they have got the battle won
The ruling class believes that they have an unfair advantage
I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they've done
I forgive those who use their status to maintain their power position
Well, I keep on fighting for the things I want
I continue to struggle for my desires and what I believeis right, despite the oppositions
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
The fight may be over for the dead, and the ruling class keeps limiting the power of the oppressed.
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
I'll fight to the death to earn my freedom rather than give up and submit to the ruling class
Than living as a puppet or a slave
Submitting to the ruling class is not a life worth living
What I say, what I say
I'm fighting until the end
The harder they come, the harder they fall
Oppressors will fail harder the harder they try to hold back the oppressed
One and all
No one will defeat the power of the oppressed
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bryanna Reilly
yeeeeaaaah!
Bradda Vic
Ain't nobody better be messin wit Jehovah :|~~~~~
Bradda Vic
Jehovah Rules~~~~~
Bradda Vic
JW.org