The Zabriskie Blast by Angry Saints (2025)

A surrender by degrees
Tote that barge, chase the cheese
Leading lives, song still inside
Quiet desperation against the tide
Sitting in silence on the one-way ride

Holy Friday, hit the town
Roll the barrel, chuck it down, chuck, chuck it

Maybe while you paint it red
Forget the gun at your head
The boomtown is the ghost town

Push it too far and it's feathers and tar
And scatter, scatter, scatter
Slow floating glass, the Zabriskie blast
Let it shatter, shatter, shatter

Come follow the sound to the sea air

Time is ticking, we ricochet
Falling footsteps, day after day after day after day
The passing cloud laughs out loud
At Jack and Jane, a face in the crowd
The black freighter's on its way, but...

Take a number, wait in line
Not this sucker, not this time
All this shit has got to go
Before we reap what we sow
Jim Crow, Joe Blow, John Doe, but...

Well, time on your side, be a sign of the times
Because you matter
You matter
Time on your side, be a sign of the times

Because you matter
You matter, you matter, you matter, you matter

The lyrics of "The Zabriskie Blast" by Angry Saints delve deep into themes of surrender, conformity, rebellion, and individual significance. The opening lines, "A surrender by degrees, Tote that barge, chase the cheese," suggest a gradual resignation to societal expectations and the pursuit of material gains. Despite leading lives conforming to norms, there is still an inner desire for expression and meaning, as hinted at with "song still inside." The mention of "quiet desperation against the tide" conveys a sense of internal struggle and frustration with the status quo, while the reference to a "one-way ride" suggests a feeling of being trapped in one's circumstances.

The imagery in the following lines paints a picture of reckless abandon and momentary release. "Holy Friday, hit the town, roll the barrel, chuck it down" evokes a sense of indulgence and escapism, possibly through intoxication or wild behavior. The lines "maybe while you paint it red, forget the gun at your head" suggest a temporary reprieve from looming threats or pressures. The juxtaposition of a booming town turning into a ghost town hints at the transient nature of excess and the emptiness that can follow such indulgences.

The chorus of the song delivers a powerful message about the consequences of pushing boundaries too far. "Push it too far, and it's feathers and tar, and scatter, scatter, scatter" paints a vivid picture of the fallout from reckless actions. The reference to a "Zabriskie blast" conveys a sense of explosive destruction and fragmentation. The call to "let it shatter, shatter, shatter" speaks to the need to face the consequences of one's choices and actions, no matter how destructive they may be.

The latter part of the lyrics shifts towards a message of empowerment and self-worth. The mention of time ticking and the idea of ricocheting through life reflect the passage of time and the repetitive nature of existence. The figures of Jack and Jane, representing ordinary individuals, are contrasted with the looming presence of the black freighter, a symbol of impending change or fate. The defiance in lines like "take a number, wait in line, not this sucker, not this time" hints at a refusal to be just another cog in the machine. The repeated emphasis on the importance of time and individual significance conveys a message of self-worth and the need to break free from societal constraints to truly matter in the grand scheme of things.

A surrender by degrees
Slowly giving in and losing control

Tote that barge, chase the cheese
Working hard and chasing after rewards

Leading lives, song still inside
Living life while holding onto hope and dreams

Quiet desperation against the tide
Feeling trapped and struggling against obstacles

Sitting in silence on the one-way ride
Reflecting quietly while moving forward without return

Holy Friday, hit the town
Going out and having fun on a special day

Roll the barrel, chuck it down, chuck, chuck it
Enjoying a drink and letting loose

Maybe while you paint it red
Trying to ignore or cover up your problems

Forget the gun at your head
Ignoring imminent danger or threats

The boomtown is the ghost town
Once prosperous now abandoned and empty

Push it too far and it's feathers and tar
Going beyond limits results in consequences

And scatter, scatter, scatter
Causing chaos and disorder

Slow floating glass, the Zabriskie blast
A peaceful yet destructive release

Let it shatter, shatter, shatter
Allowing things to fall apart

Come follow the sound to the sea air
Finding solace and freedom by the ocean

Time is ticking, we ricochet
The clock is ticking, actions have consequences

Falling footsteps, day after day after day after day
Continuing on with repetitive routine

The passing cloud laughs out loud
Nature's indifference and mockery

At Jack and Jane, a face in the crowd
Average individuals seen but overlooked

The black freighter's on its way, but...
Impending doom approaching

Take a number, wait in line
Following rules and waiting your turn

Not this sucker, not this time
Refusing to be taken advantage of

All this shit has got to go
Problems and negativity must be eliminated

Before we reap what we sow
Consequences of our actions will catch up

Jim Crow, Joe Blow, John Doe, but...
People reduced to stereotypes or anonymity

Well, time on your side, be a sign of the times
Seizing the opportunity and making it count

Because you matter
Recognizing self-worth and importance

You matter
Reiterating the individual's significance

Time on your side, be a sign of the times
Taking advantage of favorable circumstances

Because you matter
Reminding oneself of personal value

You matter, you matter, you matter, you matter
Highlighting the abundant worth of the self

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