Grammy-Nominated Singer’s Violent Occupy Anthem: ‘Strung Up You’ll Bleed,’ ‘Your Blood Is Our Paint’
Singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur (Photo Credit: Alterna2)
Are you ready for the ultra-long, seemingly violent Occupy Wall Street anthem? A new sympathetic song by singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur called,
“We Stand as One,” is intended to be a rallying cry for the Occupiers.
But a close look at the lyrics provides some disturbing imagery that causes one to question what, exactly, the ballad is advocating. CNS News’ Dan Gainor
has more:
Despite the violence of the anti-war protests, the ‘60s demonstrations were about giving peace a chance. The Occupy Wall Street crowd has a new anthem that is anything but peaceful. The song tells how opponents will have their “body destroyed” or when “strung up you’ll bleed, like the pig you became.”
While Arthur may be an unfamiliar name to some,
according to his biography, he has worked with some well-known musicians. In the past, he has apparently collaborated with Peter Gabriel and with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, among others. In addition to being a songwriter, he is also an artist. His album work was nominated for a “best recording package Grammy” in 1999 for the EP “Vacancy.”
Arthur’s latest musical endeavor, inspired by Occupy Wall Street, delves deeply into the reasons why the movement is underway. Paste Magazine
describes the tune:
“We Stand As One” is a song filled with reverberating pianos, harmonicas and harmonies, but it’s main function is as a protest song in support of the people occupying Wall Street. It focuses on health care, freedoms and basic needs with a straightforward approach to the lyrics.
What Paste left out, of course, are the bizarre references to violence that stand out throughout the song. Here are
a few of the lyrics that should be raising some eyebrows, as it appears as though Arthur’s speaking to the so-called “1 percent”:
Our canvas is freedom
Your blood is our paint
[...]
Like a pig you consumed
And like a pig you will roast [...]
And what you won’t share
Will be ripped from your hands
Your body destroyed
The way fire lands
Burning your homes
The privilege you snake
The payback beyond
Anything you could take
Naked you’ll be
And full of regret
And the way they were treated
You’ll long to forget
On Thursday, the singer took to Twitter to say that he supports non-violent protest and “peaceful revolution.” However, the aforementioned lyrics do cause one to question what, exactly, he’s implying in his music:
It’s interesting that he writes “Nothing wrong with a warning though” in his tweet. Especially considering that
he was responding to a message from @OccupyTweets, an account that has been setup to provide information and tips for protestors:
So, @OccupyTips says that peace is the answer and Arthur responds, saying that there’s “nothing wrong with a warning.” Interesting. Makes one wonder if these lyrics constitute as a “warning” to the 1 percent, no?
Green Peace USA, a well-known environmental group, has also
tweeted its support for the song, calling it “nice.”
Below, watch the controversial video and listen to the lyrics for yourself:
Filmmakers and artists, like Arthur, have been using their skills to help promote the Occupy Wall Street movement. Yesterday,
the Blaze reported on some unique television advertisements that have been running on “The O’Reilly Factor,” among other programs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=lWg1GVVUE2A
