It's such a great lyric and can be taken in various ways. It can apply to "brainwashing" children (destroy their individuality and force them to conform/comply without questioning) or it can be applied to justifying destroying other nations in war (including children in said other nations) for the sake of justification of war and defending "your flag". I don't always agree with everything Propagahndi says or believes, but they do make some very intelligent arguments to express their point of view.... and they're just amazing musicians!
Chris Hannah is a master lyricist, nobody writes lyrics like he does, every time I hear his lines I get chills, and I’ve been listening to Propagandhi for 16 years.
"...don't be surprised if we find ourselves reaping a strange and bitter fruit..." this is the hardest-hitting, most undercover line in the entire song. The opening lyric to the song "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday - "Southern trees bear a strange fruit. Blood on the trees and blood on the root. Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze. Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees." Chris Hannah is simply un-fuck-with-able in his lyric writing.
Of the dozens of Propagandhi reaction vids I've watched, this is by far the best so far. With your video game background, I need to recommend another Propagandhi song called "America’s Army (Die Jugend Marschiert)".
This song hits so hard for me. I feel such a kinship with a guy in a punk band, with progressive politics, who fucking loves hockey. There aren’t a lot of people like that. I know because I’ve been playing in punk bands for 20 years, have been an activist for most of that time, and I don’t have many people I can talk to about hockey. The point of it, which seems to be mostly understood by Dave (I think that’s his name) is reasonably simple: Why do we consistently require, in ALL sporting events, nationalistic and militaristic propaganda? What purpose does it serve exactly, if not to indoctrinate youth? It seems to me that it serves to normalize violence (real violence, not what happens as part of a game where afterwards everyone gets to go home) and nationalism. A LOT of Canadians are fine with those things and are happy to have their children taught that the country is so great you should be willing to lay down your life for it… good for them. What about me? What about my child? I hope my son gets into hockey, but it will require that I spend time to deprogram him from what he sees on TV, and it’s hard for me to compete with Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, who are seen as heroic by children… connecting the military to it creates an endorsement of military violence by the star players, whether they’re willing or not. As much as the line about Nuremberg is a little on the nose, the question posed is a good one. Dave scoffed a bit at it, but wasn’t able to answer. What IS the distinction between soldiers repelling from the arena rafters (which absolutely has happened) and those rallies? What are the goals of those two rituals? They seem to be the same, even if the context surrounding Nuremberg was far more extreme. “We are a great country for which you should be willing to die, and kill.” We know tbag stuff is harmful when it’s Nazi Germany doing it, but when Canada uses the same tactics to get to soldiers killing people overseas, typically for geo-political power and resources, many of us are complacent. If I want to teach those militaristic values to my son, that’s my right. What I don’t want is for the price of admission to a hockey game to include even a small dose of brainwashing. I don’t need corporations and the government to help instil values in my child, and I should be able to expose them to culture without having to navigate these intentional strategies to undermine my teachings. “Nationalism and patriotism is fine…” Those are two very distinct concepts. You can be patriotic and recognize the toxicity of nationalism (the idea that our country is morally superior… that’s what nationalism is). And I’m glad Dave’s kids weren’t so heavily influenced by displays of nationalism… but there’s a reason the government spends so much time and money on these events. It works and accomplishes the goals in MANY cases. They don’t need every child. Even if it wasn’t effective, the motivations are a problem to me.
I appreciate how you took the time to really break down the lyrics of this song. He wrote this after taking his niece to a game and during intermission, they had a ceremony honoring the military with soldiers rappelling from the rafters. His niece asked why they had guns and I think they walked out. He has very strong political opinions. I don't agree with all of them but he always makes excellent thought-provoking points in their songs. Bad Religion and Propagandhi have the best lyricists in punk.
@@itsgamzhaha, Anti-Flag were always the poor man's Bad Religion / Propagandhi. Then again, Bad Religion are kind of a joke these days too, that last album was Orange Man Bad: The Soundtrack. Hugely disappointing that they didn't take a more cerebral approach to the lyrics like they usually do and instead went for attacking easy political targets and sowing division, it's beneath them and runs contrary to their typically-populist "we all need to work together" message
Legitimately one of the greatest and most important punk/thrash bands ever. Chris Hannah is such a fantastic and thought-provoking lyricist that even if you don't agree with his extreme left politics, you can't ignore his intelligence or not respect him for his conviction and sincerity. And of course, they're utterly ridiculous and creative musicians that blow away 95% of punk and thrash bands without trying.
Just a note... These guys are from Winnipeg, and on 'Armed Forces Night' the local NHL team (the Jets) definitely have troops rappelling from the rafters in the pregame ceremonies.
@@davesmith3713 Another thing. Chris has a huge military background. Both his father and uncle served in the Canadian and US military, respectively, as well as both his grandfathers. Chris spent a summer with his uncle at a US army aviation branch air base (I believe) in the mid 80's. His uncle at one point taught at West Point. It's a much more personal to him then most would understand.
Great reaction buddy, you should definitely check out more of their stuff. My personal favorite is "Potemkin City Limits" (the song, not the album). Powerful lyrics.
On the same note about recruiting young minds, you should check out Propagandhi’s Die jugend marschiert, Which criticizes how video games sponsored by the US Army are influencing children from a very young age.
@@encyclical I like Dallas Green. But I don't think I have heard any Alexisisonfire. Obviously I have heard of the band they are quite popular. That's a great suggestion thanks.
I love Propagandhi but this lyrics has so many Canadian culture in there that I'm only understanding it 100% now after your comments in the video. PS: I only can imagine what type of lyrics they're would be writing if they were from USA hahahahaahaha
I can get patriotism in a way - I don't really feel it, but I guess I understand. I'm German and - as I said - I wouldn't consider myself a patriot, but I'm kinda "proud" what the German society, which I am part of, has become after the atrocities of the Nazis. Nationalism is f****d up though! Also, I don't think pride is something you can feel for the achievements of others but only yourselves
ive been listening to alot of German punk rock recently. it seems there is a theme of anti Nazi messages in alot of the songs I've heard. ive had to translate. but there seems to be alot of emphasis put on distancing Germany from Nazis at least from the punk rock scene.
I'm from the US...and get uncomfortable when at a sports event and hear everyone around me singing the national anthem.. Like am I the only one that sees an issue with this?😂
Firstly, I enjoy your commentary and breakdown of this rockin' song. Secondly, I find it hilarious that you referred to converting someone to Christianity "pulling one over" on them 😂
Partiotism in America DOES superseed reason, thats a very big problem that needs to be discussed and dealt with, especially in the US. Yours, an European.
You've watched a lot of sporting events and you're not brainwashed. It didn't work on you, that's great. But we know for a fact that it does work on a lot of people. The fact that it doesn't work on everyone is not a valid defense of the practice.
What's to understand? He's saying he's been to every honkey rink, pond, lake etc in Canada, since Fargo is far north in the US. He's saying hockey is so ingrained in him that he's been to every hockey rink north of the border. He's establishing credentials to make it clear that they have something in common and that he's not arbitrarily complaining without reason
Why do we have military celebrations at sporting events w pageantry. That’s the comparison w Nuremberg rallies. Same deal just different sizes and ideologies
I had to stop it right here. You kept speaking from your perspective but the song is about a young girl. 20:02 I hope I feel dumb and realize that you actually listened. Its not about the damn national anthem man! and the violence in hockey....
Propagandhi is a Marxist edge lord band. They’re one of my favorite punk bands but it’s true. I definitely don’t agree with everything they write about.
Hey Dave, thank you for breaking down the lyrics. Some parts of this song have long eluded my understanding, especially what is Canada culture specific. I really enjoy this song and having a more complete understanding makes me appreciate it even more. I think one part you might've missed was when you were surprised he was defending hockey, but the lyrics actually mention specifically the duality between realizing the link between hockey and military/nationalism while having fond childhood memories and the whole culture connected to the sport which he cannot dissociate himself from. I completely get what he means also, in a way it's very similar to football here in Brazil.
Hey Peter. Thanks for you note! Glad you enjoyed the reaction. I think you are right about the duality - makes sense to me. Hope all is well down in Brazil!
"It takes a village to raise a child, a flag to raze the children" is probably my favorite lyric ever.
Yes it is
It's such a great lyric and can be taken in various ways. It can apply to "brainwashing" children (destroy their individuality and force them to conform/comply without questioning) or it can be applied to justifying destroying other nations in war (including children in said other nations) for the sake of justification of war and defending "your flag". I don't always agree with everything Propagahndi says or believes, but they do make some very intelligent arguments to express their point of view.... and they're just amazing musicians!
Should be a t shirt and bumper sticker. :P
One of the best bands ever. Dive in.
Without a doubt
Chris Hannah is a master lyricist, nobody writes lyrics like he does, every time I hear his lines I get chills, and I’ve been listening to Propagandhi for 16 years.
"...don't be surprised if we find ourselves reaping a strange and bitter fruit..." this is the hardest-hitting, most undercover line in the entire song. The opening lyric to the song "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday - "Southern trees bear a strange fruit. Blood on the trees and blood on the root. Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze. Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees." Chris Hannah is simply un-fuck-with-able in his lyric writing.
I love this band so much. Victory Lap is my fave song. The lyrics are stellar well as musician skills.
This is the best propagandhi react video that exists. Thank you, Dave.
Wow thanks Andre!
Of the dozens of Propagandhi reaction vids I've watched, this is by far the best so far. With your video game background, I need to recommend another Propagandhi song called "America’s Army (Die Jugend Marschiert)".
And duplicate keys icaro
This song hits so hard for me. I feel such a kinship with a guy in a punk band, with progressive politics, who fucking loves hockey. There aren’t a lot of people like that. I know because I’ve been playing in punk bands for 20 years, have been an activist for most of that time, and I don’t have many people I can talk to about hockey.
The point of it, which seems to be mostly understood by Dave (I think that’s his name) is reasonably simple:
Why do we consistently require, in ALL sporting events, nationalistic and militaristic propaganda? What purpose does it serve exactly, if not to indoctrinate youth? It seems to me that it serves to normalize violence (real violence, not what happens as part of a game where afterwards everyone gets to go home) and nationalism. A LOT of Canadians are fine with those things and are happy to have their children taught that the country is so great you should be willing to lay down your life for it… good for them. What about me? What about my child? I hope my son gets into hockey, but it will require that I spend time to deprogram him from what he sees on TV, and it’s hard for me to compete with Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, who are seen as heroic by children… connecting the military to it creates an endorsement of military violence by the star players, whether they’re willing or not. As much as the line about Nuremberg is a little on the nose, the question posed is a good one. Dave scoffed a bit at it, but wasn’t able to answer. What IS the distinction between soldiers repelling from the arena rafters (which absolutely has happened) and those rallies? What are the goals of those two rituals? They seem to be the same, even if the context surrounding Nuremberg was far more extreme. “We are a great country for which you should be willing to die, and kill.”
We know tbag stuff is harmful when it’s Nazi Germany doing it, but when Canada uses the same tactics to get to soldiers killing people overseas, typically for geo-political power and resources, many of us are complacent.
If I want to teach those militaristic values to my son, that’s my right. What I don’t want is for the price of admission to a hockey game to include even a small dose of brainwashing. I don’t need corporations and the government to help instil values in my child, and I should be able to expose them to culture without having to navigate these intentional strategies to undermine my teachings.
“Nationalism and patriotism is fine…” Those are two very distinct concepts. You can be patriotic and recognize the toxicity of nationalism (the idea that our country is morally superior… that’s what nationalism is).
And I’m glad Dave’s kids weren’t so heavily influenced by displays of nationalism… but there’s a reason the government spends so much time and money on these events. It works and accomplishes the goals in MANY cases. They don’t need every child. Even if it wasn’t effective, the motivations are a problem to me.
I appreciate how you took the time to really break down the lyrics of this song. He wrote this after taking his niece to a game and during intermission, they had a ceremony honoring the military with soldiers rappelling from the rafters. His niece asked why they had guns and I think they walked out. He has very strong political opinions. I don't agree with all of them but he always makes excellent thought-provoking points in their songs. Bad Religion and Propagandhi have the best lyricists in punk.
Thanks Steve I appreciate it. And I totally agree very thought provoking stuff.
Add Anti-Flag & Dead Kennedys into that mix and I would agree, some of the best writing ever.
Yeah, he's an awesome guy BUT how stupid are you to be anti-gun when you clearly see you CANNOT trust your governing body? HELLO?????
@@Sneeches1 wouldn't add Anti-Flag onto anything considering what Justin Sane has done
@@itsgamzhaha, Anti-Flag were always the poor man's Bad Religion / Propagandhi. Then again, Bad Religion are kind of a joke these days too, that last album was Orange Man Bad: The Soundtrack. Hugely disappointing that they didn't take a more cerebral approach to the lyrics like they usually do and instead went for attacking easy political targets and sowing division, it's beneath them and runs contrary to their typically-populist "we all need to work together" message
Chris (singer) was at a game with his niece and military did repel from the arena rafters... I think that's a key part that is missing here.
I've seen it as well, add some other similar types of displays.
Legitimately one of the greatest and most important punk/thrash bands ever. Chris Hannah is such a fantastic and thought-provoking lyricist that even if you don't agree with his extreme left politics, you can't ignore his intelligence or not respect him for his conviction and sincerity. And of course, they're utterly ridiculous and creative musicians that blow away 95% of punk and thrash bands without trying.
This is excellent analysis. Great vid man. These fellas are a long time favourite.
Just a note... These guys are from Winnipeg, and on 'Armed Forces Night' the local NHL team (the Jets) definitely have troops rappelling from the rafters in the pregame ceremonies.
That is bizarre!
@@davesmith3713 yup, it sure is. Explains Chris's lyrics though.
"They" are from Portage.
@@gregd5064 Chris and Jord are, yup
@@davesmith3713 Another thing. Chris has a huge military background. Both his father and uncle served in the Canadian and US military, respectively, as well as both his grandfathers. Chris spent a summer with his uncle at a US army aviation branch air base (I believe) in the mid 80's. His uncle at one point taught at West Point. It's a much more personal to him then most would understand.
Chris’ dad was in the military and he was bought up around it and was very close to joining too.
Amazing reaction !.. check also Night Letters from this band
Great reaction buddy, you should definitely check out more of their stuff. My personal favorite is "Potemkin City Limits" (the song, not the album). Powerful lyrics.
Always brings a tear singing crimson pool reflection
On the same note about recruiting young minds, you should check out Propagandhi’s Die jugend marschiert, Which criticizes how video games sponsored by the US Army are influencing children from a very young age.
Why yes this is the best song reaction video i have ever seen.
Thank you!
Best lyrical reaction to this!
Amazing way you react, think things through and analyze. Loved every minute of this!
Southern Ontario? Hmm… on how about Alexisonfire with their new song Sans Soleil?
Thanks Stephen.
@@encyclical I like Dallas Green. But I don't think I have heard any Alexisisonfire. Obviously I have heard of the band they are quite popular. That's a great suggestion thanks.
I've seen the Coach's Corner clip and they were talking about a hockey fight.
I love Propagandhi but this lyrics has so many Canadian culture in there that I'm only understanding it 100% now after your comments in the video.
PS: I only can imagine what type of lyrics they're would be writing if they were from USA hahahahaahaha
Their album Victory Lap is basically a reaction to the 2016 US election
Unscripted moments podcast go through every song line by line and also have context from band members and others at times.
I can get patriotism in a way - I don't really feel it, but I guess I understand. I'm German and - as I said - I wouldn't consider myself a patriot, but I'm kinda "proud" what the German society, which I am part of, has become after the atrocities of the Nazis. Nationalism is f****d up though! Also, I don't think pride is something you can feel for the achievements of others but only yourselves
Well said Flo
ive been listening to alot of German punk rock recently. it seems there is a theme of anti Nazi messages in alot of the songs I've heard. ive had to translate. but there seems to be alot of emphasis put on distancing Germany from Nazis at least from the punk rock scene.
I'm from the US...and get uncomfortable when at a sports event and hear everyone around me singing the national anthem.. Like am I the only one that sees an issue with this?😂
Gr8 song
Firstly, I enjoy your commentary and breakdown of this rockin' song. Secondly, I find it hilarious that you referred to converting someone to Christianity "pulling one over" on them 😂
My mom always said I had a way with words :D
This song is based on a real event of the singer seeing a game with his niece where yes troops appellee from the rafters irl
Listen to Unscripted Moments podcast episode about this song and it has all the information you need to know.
8:13 hell ya Chris is a good singer!
@17:10 just imagine if curling originated as shuffling land mines on ice. Much more thrilling to say the least
Yuup after 9/11 the DOD (department of defense) started paying the sports leagues to play the national anthem.
Partiotism in America DOES superseed reason, thats a very big problem that needs to be discussed and dealt with, especially in the US. Yours, an European.
Yeah but propaghandi is talking about hockey night in canada
@@wbaldwin666the song is literally about the patriotism/nationalism shoved down your throat at sporting events.
@@LostButBrokenAbsolutely. While the song is referencing a specific Canadian show, this applies to a lot of sports broadcasts in North America.
They do pay the NFL for “Airtime.” It’s a problem. Lol
conjunction junction,
what's your function?
You've watched a lot of sporting events and you're not brainwashed. It didn't work on you, that's great. But we know for a fact that it does work on a lot of people. The fact that it doesn't work on everyone is not a valid defense of the practice.
A fair point. I feel like most sports fans are not duped by tactics like this, but I could be wrong about that. Thanks for listening.
@11:00 Indoctrination!!!
Please do adventures in zoochosis reaction
Never understood one part of the lyric... north of fargo...
What's to understand? He's saying he's been to every honkey rink, pond, lake etc in Canada, since Fargo is far north in the US. He's saying hockey is so ingrained in him that he's been to every hockey rink north of the border. He's establishing credentials to make it clear that they have something in common and that he's not arbitrarily complaining without reason
hahahaha
Dude, it's called mixing.
Why do we have military celebrations at sporting events w pageantry. That’s the comparison w Nuremberg rallies. Same deal just different sizes and ideologies
Was this during Kaepernik and others kneeling during the anthems?
This song was released in 2009.
I had to stop it right here. You kept speaking from your perspective but the song is about a young girl. 20:02 I hope I feel dumb and realize that you actually listened. Its not about the damn national anthem man! and the violence in hockey....
This bugged me so bad
not saying u missed the point ....but....
Propagandhi is a Marxist edge lord band. They’re one of my favorite punk bands but it’s true. I definitely don’t agree with everything they write about.
Same
All sport comes from military activity?
Too much of a generalization for sure. But the point is - many sports have roots in military training in history. Definitely not all though.
Kind of scary... how out of touch can one human being be? Kind of sad
Agreed
I think you should stay away from propagandhi
Yeah, imagine explaining "note to self"
Hey Dave, thank you for breaking down the lyrics. Some parts of this song have long eluded my understanding, especially what is Canada culture specific. I really enjoy this song and having a more complete understanding makes me appreciate it even more. I think one part you might've missed was when you were surprised he was defending hockey, but the lyrics actually mention specifically the duality between realizing the link between hockey and military/nationalism while having fond childhood memories and the whole culture connected to the sport which he cannot dissociate himself from. I completely get what he means also, in a way it's very similar to football here in Brazil.
Hey Peter. Thanks for you note! Glad you enjoyed the reaction. I think you are right about the duality - makes sense to me. Hope all is well down in Brazil!