Haillie Sellasse Up Your Ass
Haillie Sellasse Up Your Ass
Propagandhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴You speak of rastafari, but how can you justify belief
In a God that's left you behind?
You've simply filled the gap between the upper and lower class
And your faith merely keeps you in line.
An amalgamation of jewish scripture and christian thought.
What will that get you? not a f**k of a lot. Take a look at your promised land.
Your deed is that gun in your hand.
Mt. zion's a minefield. the west bank. the gaza strip.
Soon to be parking lots for american tourists and fascist cops.
F**k zionism. f**k militarism. f**k americanism.
F**k nationalism. f**k religion.
Overall Meaning
In "Haillie Sellasse Up Your Ass," Propagandhi calls into question the validity of Rastafarianism and its belief in a God that seemingly abandons its followers as they struggle to get by. The lyrics suggest that Rastafarianism (and religion in general) serves as a means to control and subjugate those at the bottom of society, keeping them in line and preventing them from rising up. The song also takes aim at Zionism and American militarism, criticizing the violence and imperialism that these ideologies perpetuate. The lyrics condemn nationalism and religion as tools for oppressing people and call for the rejection of these harmful belief systems.
The use of the name Haillie Sellasse in the song's title is a reference to the Ethiopian emperor who is revered as a deity by the Rastafari movement. The title can be interpreted as a challenge to the authority of Sellasse and the Rastafari leaders who claim to represent him.
Line by Line Meaning
You speak of rastafari, but how can you justify belief
You claim to follow Rastafari, but how can you logically defend the idea
In a God that's left you behind?
Of a god who has abandoned you?
You've simply filled the gap between the upper and lower class
You essentially are a part of a system that divides people economically
And your faith merely keeps you in line.
Religious beliefs help you maintain conformity.
An amalgamation of Jewish scripture and Christian thought.
Your beliefs are a mix of Jewish and Christian beliefs
What will that get you? Not a f**k of a lot.
And that will probably not benefit you much in the end.
Take a look at your promised land.
Reflect on what you believe is your homeland
Your deed is that gun in your hand.
You possess lethal weapons.
Mt. Zion's a minefield. The West Bank. The Gaza Strip.
Places of conflict and violence include not only Mt. Zion, but the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Soon to be parking lots for American tourists and fascist cops.
And will soon be turned into parking lots for tourists and police who must use authoritarian tactics.
F**k Zionism. F**k militarism. F**k Americanism.
Reject Zionism, military actions, and American nationalistic beliefs.
F**k nationalism. F**k religion.
It is also necessary to reject nationalism and all religious beliefs.
Contributed by Samantha F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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