R.E.M - Welcome to the Occupation Lyrics
Lyrics Translation
"Welcome to the Occupation" by R.E.M. was released on September 1, 1987, as part of their fifth studio album, Document. The song was written by band members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry. The song critiques foreign intervention and the negative effects of power on society.
Song lyrics
Hang your collar up inside
Hang your dollar on me
Listen to the water still
Listen to the cause where you are
Fed and educated,
Primitive and wild
Welcome to the occupation
Here we stand and here we fight
All your fallen heroes
Held and dyed and skinned alive
Listen to the Congress fire
Offering the educated
primitive and loyal
Welcome to the occupation
Hang your collar up inside
Hang your freedom higher
Listen to the buyer still
Listen to the Congress
Where we propagate confusion
Primitive and wild
Fire on the hemisphere below
Sugar cane and coffee cup
Copper, steel and cattle
An annotated history
The forest for the fire
Where we open up the floodgates
Freedom reigns supreme
Fire on the hemisphere below
Listen to me
Listen to me
Listen to me
Listen to me