The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Silver And Gold" by the artist "U2"

U2's "Silver and Gold" paints a picture of despair, violence, and oppression, using metaphors and imagery to convey a deeper message about greed, corruption, and the struggle for freedom.

The first verse immediately plunges us into an atmosphere of despair: "A shot rings out in the hollow block." This image of random, senseless violence sets the tone for the entire song. "Praying hands hold me up" - the lyrical hero seeks solace in faith, but even it seems powerless in this "town that’s gotten down on its luck," a place marked by claustrophobia and hopelessness.

The second verse amplifies the feeling of despair. "There's no stars out tonight" and "the sun's gone down" - these images depict a bleak existence devoid of hope and light. The line "The guard said, 'There's a price to be paid before you go free'" is the key metaphor of the song. It suggests that freedom has a price, and that price is "silver and gold." It's not just about literally getting out of prison, but about freedom from oppression, injustice, and greed.

The third verse describes the physical and emotional state of the lyrical hero: "Got my back to the wall, got my nose to the ground." He feels crushed, broken, trapped. "Got a noose around my neck, got a gun to my head" - these lines convey a sense of imminent danger and helplessness in the face of violence. The appeal to Jesus - "Jesus, say something" - expresses despair and a plea for help, for a miracle.

The fourth verse introduces new characters: "The captains and the kings in their big houses." They symbolize the powerful, the rich, and the influential, whose greed ("they come to take their silver and gold") is the cause of oppression and suffering.

The fifth verse describes the cyclical nature of history, the repetition of the same mistakes: "I've seen them come and go… I've seen the kings, I’ve seen the captains…”

The sixth verse shows the contrast between the wealth of the oppressors and the poverty of the oppressed: "Mister, I got nothin', but it's more than you." The lyrical hero, despite his poverty, possesses something more valuable than "silver and gold" - perhaps it's his unbroken spirit, his thirst for freedom, or his faith.

The seventh verse is the climax of the song. "These chains, these chains, no longer bind me." The lyrical hero breaks free from his physical and spiritual bonds. He calls for the liberation of all the oppressed: "Free them! Free them!"

The eighth verse takes us back to the boxing metaphor: "Prize fighter in the corner, he's told to hit where it hurts." The fight for freedom continues, and it demands determination, courage, and a willingness to confront injustice. The closing lines, "You can stop the turning of the earth, if you’ve got the money," sound bitterly ironic, emphasizing that in a world ruled by "silver and gold," even the most incredible things become possible if you have money.