Freedom Samba Lyrics

[Intro]
This is the CBD emergency warning system
A major incident has occurred in the city
Please take shelter where you are...

We hope that we never have to use this
But it is part of the security measures that we put in place


Are you worried that there are going to be a few
Bad apples amongst your group who are going to
Tarnish the lot of you?

I'm more worried there'll be bad apples amongst the police who will beat heads!


[Verse 1: Ozi Batla]
It's after curfew, so make sure that no-one heard you
Just the suggestion of free expression could hurt you
Untamed aggression on the faces of the faithful
El Patron is merciful, eternally grateful
Coming out the pep rally down at the stadium
Where they say the secret jail is - just put the cages in

Tear gas and horses, disperse the demonstration
Turn the native army on the native population
Official TV station has taken a different view
They say they're banning gatherings of any more than two
Cos the President lives in mortal fear of a coup d'etat
He's raised his own militia - it's autumn of the patriarch
Ordered his body double, ride in an open car
Distribute gifts to the barrios that done it hard
Some took the bait

They see him as the father of the nation that they can't hate
Others just can't wait to take back what they lost
They rally under black flags and toss molotovs


It's always freedom at what cost
The pamphlet they drop said that pacifism is a paradox
You turn the other cheek and cop another shot
Exiles wanna shout 'You don't know what you got'
Sometimes freedom is defined by what it's not
You never really know where the road you walk ends up


You've gotta keep your heads up

[Hook: Jane Tyrrell]
They try to tell you they're only trying to help
They'll lock you up to protect you from yourself
They'll lock you up to deflect you from their wealth

Create fear of a foe you can't see
Eventually now it's so plain to see
It's your freedom that's the first casualty


[Verse 2: Ozi Batla]
Tut tut go the paper - call 'em terrorists
Paint 'em as psychopathic murderous savages
Isolate 'em try and make 'em illegitimate
Pro-government sources condemn 'em on the internet
The hearts and minds of the people are with the will of the warlord
But they don't think of him as a warlord
You can send in new and improved anti-terror units
And move and eliminate, that's a civilian fate
Late night raids by nameless death squads
Small kids snarling at soldiers to 'Get lost!'
You don't even know all the feet you stepped on
Say you neutralised the area - well you're dead wrong

What about the missing we haven't heard from?
So there's plenty more volunteers to strap bombs
Doesn't take your forces long to catch on
This is anything but romantic - this is terror for two
Me with absolutely nothing to lose
Only one of us is seeking the truth

We wanna know the truth

[Hook: Jane Tyrrell]
They try to tell you they're only trying to help
They'll lock you up to protect you from yourself
They'll lock you up to deflect you from their wealth

Create fear of a foe you can't see
Eventually now it's so plain to see
It's your freedom that's the first casualty

They try to tell you they're only trying to help
They'll lock you up to protect you from yourself
They'll lock you up to deflect you from their wealth

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About

Genius Annotation

A great track off The Herd’s third studio album; Summerland (2008)

In the first verse the scenario of a ‘traditional’ third world/developing nation revolution is explored (forecasting the ‘arab spring’ with disturbing accuracy), which in the second verse is then skillfully juxtaposed to western media influence and intervention by allied troops, such as in the second gulf war and the war in afghanistan.

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Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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