Don't Tread On Me
Metallica
Metallica, ©1991
Hetfield / Ulrich
A stirring tribute to the Patriots of the
American Revolution. The title of this song refers to the early American flag
with a picture of a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase "Don't Tread On Me"
known as the Gadsden Flag and the Culpeper Flag. In a broader sense the song is
about patriotism, liberty, and the willingness to fight and die for what you
believe in.
Interestingly, some have suggested that this
song may also be interpreted as a cautionary commentary on the dangers of blind
patriotism. The introduction of this song ( instrumental ) is an excerpt from
the song "I Like To Be In America" from the musical, West Side
Story.
Some lyrics of this song have actually been
borrowed or adapted from historic speeches and documents of the American
Revolution. The line "liberty or death, what we so proudly hail" is a
reference to Patrick Henry's famous statement of resistence. The lines,
"so be it threaten no more to secure peace is to prepare for war" is
adapted from a statement made by George Washington.
Metallica Music and Lyric Resources:
Referenced and Related Works:
Patrick Henry's; "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death"
George Washington, Annual Message, December 1793
Twisted Sisters, "We're Not Gonna Take It" / Constructed Response Activity
Thomas Paine's "American Crisis"
I Have A Dream / “The
Impossible Dream ( The Quest )” Essay Writing Activity
Declaration
of Independence (external page)
Thomas
Paine (external page)
The Thomas
Jefferson Papers (external page)
George Washington Papers
at the Library of Congress (external page)
YouTube –
“We’re Not Gonna Take It”
(external link)
YouTube - “Harder They Come” (external link)