This song is about a possible conflict between the USA and Canada. The 49th parallel is the latitude line on the globe between our two countries. The writer "Chris Hannah" is indicating that Canada starts this war. The first thing that would happen is the Canadian leaders would "Cut all diplomatic ties and expel all American dignitaries" from the country. The writer takes one last jab at the USA after mentioning the bombing of south bound traffic by stating "your stupid f-ng laser- pucks where just the start." This is in reference to a graphic the NHL used on television for a while. During hockey games a tracer was put on the puck. The idea was that the viewer could track the puck easier on TV, to the the dislike of all traditional hockey fans. Then comes the most genius line of the whole song and possibly the bands career. "And while you may stand six full cubits and a span. We got a shepherds sling and five stones in our hand and the battle of 1812 lives in our hearts" Cubits and span are units of measurement in the bible. This line is taken word for word from the bible. Samuel 17:4 describing how tall Goliath was. The writer is saying we don't care how big you are because David killed Goliath with nothing but a sling and stone. This is a genius band, this a genius song and after being a devoted fan for 30 years I just had to clear this up.
A 6!? Joel, bro….haha. It’s a straight up 10 banger supreme, and deep down you know it. Haha…totally kidding. Propagandhi is a grower, not a shower, but when it clicks, ohhh man, buckle up. Like that you picked up on how Chris breaks his lyrics up. He always does it so purposefully to like, accentuate rhymes or really drive the point home on a line and it’s just….*chef’s kiss*. If you can’t tell, they’re my favorite band and imho should be the biggest band in the world…lol. You guys aren’t wrong…there’s a lot going on here, especially referentially. But, in a nutshell, the lyrics are a kind of a “what if” scenario (a speculative fiction, eh?) where Canada (where Propagandhi are from) gets fed up with the US’s insane bullshit at the time (the song was released in 2005, so at the height of George W’s spectacular run), closes its borders and “issues a nation wide travel advisory” for any Canadians still in the states, because America is going sideways (and of course in a way, unbeknownst to him at the time, Chris’s speculation about the direction we were headed towards in 2016 is kind of right). He then just peppers that overall story with gems about stuff on that toxic side of “being a real American” at the time that were driving him crazy. The “stupid fucking laser pucks” line gets me every time. That was a historically bad idea….haha.
Propagandhi are one of those bands that you get like, one part of the song stuck in your head and keep coming back. Best benefit of not writing choruses.
lol.. check out Aesop Rock. You'll be listening for 20 years and just start getting the grasp of one line. Guy is a legend and considered the closest thing to a modern day shakespeare mixed with jackson pollock. You should really check him out if you like RTJ. He and EL-P go wayyyyy back. PS: You still haven't done "Back to the Motor League - Propagandhi" it's probably their best song...
Which Aesop Rock songs would you like us to checkout? I think there are a few in our in our request list already, but not 100%. And back to the motor league is about 50 songs down the on request list. First come first serve peeps! However... I think one of our Patreons picked this one, so that'll happen this month. 🤘 -Joel
@@KnightscastStudios This is a tough question because I don't want to overwhelm you lol but. Let's say you do the first two songs on one of his best albums The Impossible Kid. Rings - This one is straight forward, and about art. then.. Mystery Fish (which is the opening song) which is about the homelessness and disparity in the ally and neighborhood he live in, in SF.. I would do them back to back as it's hard to parce his language. Definitely check out Jumping Coffin too. NOTE: Must have lyrics out. Use Rapgenius to help (the italicized words have notations for their meanings) You're in for quite a treat....
Well at least you guys can admit you don’t know what it’s about. Haha. Speculative fiction about the US invading Canada. Won an award for best songwriting. Each line means something. Hard to understand unless you are a Canadian.
butcher job of quite possibly one of the best songs of all time imo. Propagandhi is your favortie punk bands favorite band. theyre the rush of punk. You're listening to a punk band and complaining that the lines or rythms don't line up in a flow? thats like saying jazz doesnt flow. THATS THE POINT lol punk music is about doing whatever the fuck you want but still making it beautiful. "And no one seems to understand, the glory of guitar, when out of tune. The off timing, the singers who can't sing. The beauty of flaw." -Fat Mike
I don't think this is even the best song on the album, let alone the best song ever. It's great, but 'Rock For Sustainable Capitalism', 'Die Jugend marschiert', 'Iteration' all are a bit better imho. Hot take: I think 'Mate Ka Moris Ukun Rasik An', 'Nigredo', 'Adventures in Zoochosis' are my top 3 tracks from Prop. -Joel
@@KnightscastStudios well Im glad you're enjoying them. I love all of those songs.I love most all of their songs. check out lotus gait. Failed States is probably my favorite album.
