Make It Stop (September's Children)

Bang bang go the coffin nails, Like a breath exhaled, Then gone forever. -- Obviously refers to someone dying (via suicide)

It seems like just yesterday, How did I miss the red flags raise? -- After any seemingly preventable catastrophe, everyone asks what the "red flags" were, and why they were ignored. "Red flags" refer to warning signs

Think back to the days we laughed We braved these bitter storms together. Brought to his knees he cried, But on his feet he died. -- The last line probably implies the preventable and self-inflicted nature of suicides. When somenoe bedridden and dying from a disease, no one says they died on their feet- their life is clearly being taken by forces outside of their control. In a suicide, however, the person has full control over the situation but makes the choice to kill themselves.

What God would damn a heart? And what God drove us apart? What God could -- I'm not sure I would call this anti-religion- we've heard plenty of devout religious people question God in times of grief- but perhaps it is open to interpretation.

Make it stop Let this end Eighteen years pushed to the ledge. -- One of the more poetic lines in the song, 18 years is how old Tyler Clemente was when he died. The line, of course, describes how he was bullied during his lifetime and was pushed closer to killing himself throughout his years.

It's come to this, A weightless step. On the way down singing, Woah, woah. -- The weightless step describes the first step off the bridge, beginning Clemente's free fall to his demise.

Bang bang from the closet walls, The schoolhouse halls, The shotgun's loaded. Push me and I'll push back. I'm done asking, I demand. -- Describes the much-publicized possibility for fatal retaliation from bullying victims.

From a nation under God, I feel it's love like a cattle prod. Born free, but still they hate. Born me, no I can't change. -- Most of the song to this point has focused narrowly on the individual committing suicide and those grieving. But these few lines take a shot at U.S. society. The first line is from the Pledge of Allegiance, and mockingly points out that Americans are supposed to be loving of all people created by God. America also frequently spouts freedom as one of its core qualities, which Rise Against also questions. Finally, the last line comes right out and states the belief that homosexuals are born gay. The line doesn't flow well with the song, in my opinion, but it completes a logical argument that people who can't change who they are shouldn't be harassed, especially by those who claim to be freedom-loving.

It's always darkest just before the dawn. So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong. -- Perhaps the first empowering line in the song, this is the first taste of Rise Against imploring bullying victims to overcome their hardships.

...

The cold river washed him away, But how could we forget. The gatherings hold candles But not their tongues. -- I'm not sure what this means. I'm positive it has an important meaning, though, especially the last two lines.

And too much blood has flown from the wrists, Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss. Who will rise to stop the blood. -- The first two lines express disgust (perhaps of both sides) of the many cases in which gays cut their wrists because of the mental anguish they receive from bullying because of their sexual orientation.

We're calling for Insisting on A different beat, yeah A brand new song -- Rise Against answers the call from the previous line, saying they will aim to curb the bullying of gays.

Woah, woah. (Tyler Clemente age 18) A brand new song Woah, woah. (Billy Lucas age 15) Woah, woah. (Harrison Chase Brown age 15) Woah, woah. (Cody J. Barker age 17) (Seth Walsh age 13) -- I don't know who the last four are, but it is clear that they are victims of bullying who have taken their lives.

Make it stop. Let this end, This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin But proud I stand Of who I am I plan to go on living -- It is again reiterated that being gay isn't a choice. An uplifting trio of lines follows, in attempt to empower homosexuals to be proud of who they are.

Make it stop. Let this end, All these years pushed to the ledge. But proud I stand Of who I am I plan to go on living -- It is no longer "18 years pushed to the ledge," perhaps because Rise Against is no longer talking about Tyler Clemente. They now are speaking to teenagers and young adults of all ages who are currently being bullied, acknowledging that they are being pushed to the ledge year by year. The trio of empowering lines is again repeated, ending the song on an uplifting note.

That's my analysis, feel free to disagree or add anything you think I missed. This song touched me in a way I can hardly describe. I just can't bear to see and hear about bigoted violence in society today, and it's about time that society's more enlightened individuals make it stop. I'm a 21 year old straight guy who has only listened to this song twice, but I'll be sure to let you guys know the first time I'm able to listen to the entirety of this song without having tears stream down my face.

God bless everyone- if you're not Christian, I hope it's not because conservative-leaning congregations have pushed you away. We're not all like that- some of us take it literally when Jesus told us to love everyone. Nonetheless, it shouldn't take a deity to convince people to treat others with respect. I just hope more people will remember that in the future.