The Man Who Would Be King Lyrics

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About

Genius Annotation

Like many songs on History Will Absolve Me, “The Man Who Would Be King” is about colonialism and imperialism, specifically the subjugation of Africa under “the white man’s burden.” Billy references Rudyard Kipling in the song’s title and lyrics, and elsewhere describes Biblical battles and historical exoduses. The chorus implies that despite the triumphal onslaught of imperialism in late 19th century Africa, neither the Europeans nor Africans have won in the end.

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