A bonus track from the III album, the Lumineers presented this uplifting song reflecting what democracy had meant in the US in the past and how it possibly could be again in the coming years.<\/p>\n
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From the wars against disorder<\/em><\/p>\n From the sirens day and night<\/em><\/p>\n From the fires of the homeless<\/em><\/p>\n From the ashes of the gay<\/em><\/p>\n Democracy is coming to the USA<\/em><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n The Lumineers tell us democracy came because of “the wars against disorder, from the fires of the homeless”. That these pressing problems had made the people<\/span> rise and consequentially, for leaders to act.<\/p>\n The Lumineers describe vividly, the source of frustration:<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n It’s coming from the sorrow in the street<\/em><\/p>\n The holy places where the races meet<\/em><\/p>\n — <\/em><\/p>\n And they implore us to go on, to never stop seeking democracy for everyone, despite facing major setbacks such as “reefs of greed” and “squalls of hate” in the chorus:<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Sail on, sail on<\/em><\/p>\n O mighty ship of state<\/em><\/p>\n To the shores of need<\/em><\/p>\n Past the reefs of greed<\/em><\/p>\n Through the squalls of hate<\/em><\/p>\n Sail on, sail on, sail on<\/em><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n In the dramatic bridge with the violin playing in the background, they depict the gray picture they have of the country, the good. And the bad. Despite the USA being “the cradle of the best”, the band still thinks “that the heart has got to open in a fundamental way”.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n The cradle of the best, of the worst<\/em><\/p>\n It’s here they’ve got the range<\/em><\/p>\n And the machinery for change<\/em><\/p>\n And it’s here they’ve got the spiritual thirst<\/em><\/p>\n It’s here the family’s broken<\/em><\/p>\n That the heart has got to open<\/em><\/p>\n In a fundamental way<\/em><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n The band also assert their feelings for this country without stating their political inclinations:<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n I’m sentimental, if you know what I mean<\/em><\/p>\n Oh, I love the country, but I can’t stand the scene<\/em><\/p>\n And I’m neither left or right, I’m staying home tonight<\/em><\/p>\n Getting lost in that hopeless little screen<\/em><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Overall, the song is a great and pleasantly surprising touch to the album. It was an unexpected song nevertheless it drove the message home. That The Lumineers\u00a0know<\/em> that democracy is coming to the US, despite all the terrible things that have happened. The band also declare that they don’t favor a particular political inclination but instead hold to the stubborn hope that things will get better soon.<\/p>\n I hope you find this song eye opening, wistful, and that the song makes you hopeful for America again, too.<\/p>\n I hope you think of this song when the elections loom. And ask yourself, what is it you really want?<\/p>\n