We are just a child
we are just a child
we are wide awake
but our legs are shaky
we're unaware
we're hyper-active
we stare into space with grims on our faces
so give us what we're asking for
cause either way, we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on so lets go
move it


we are old as hell
we are old and tell the children
when to kill and when to sit still
everyone doing what we say
till our dieing day, till our breath is empty
so give us what we're asking for
cause either way we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on so
lets go
move it
yeah you need to let it go
move it

yeah we're, more equal,
we'll move you people,
off the planet cause we need the fuel

so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over, everyone in line, one in line

so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over, everyone in line
one at a time

they'll give us what we're asking for,
cause god is with us, and our god's the richest
our power doesn't run on nothing,
it runs on blood,
and blood is easy to obtain when you have no shame
when you have no shame

so let the sun bathe
let the sun bathe
we'll still have life, we'll burn even brighter
we'll drain the well, turn all to hell,
leave the earth's surface to the worthless dirt
let the beat roll over, let the beat roll over,
to everyone in mind, everyone in line
you think we'll cease?
you see a reason,
you think it's fair?
to think it's fair,
you think we care?



Lyrics submitted by Teffa_Bob

Track duration: 05:14

"Power Doesn't Run on Nothing" as written by Hutch Harris, Kathleen Foster

Lyrics © Royalty Network

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Power Doesn't Run On Nothing song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song seems obviously to be about American foreign policy, but more generally, seems to be a comment on humanity in general. It even seems to refer to the Kardashev Scale, a scale which measure potential alien civilizations based upon how much energy they consume. Type I is consuming all the energy on a planet:

    "so give us what we're asking for
    cause either way we're gonna take it
    our power doesn't run on nothing
    we need the land you're standing on so"

    Type II is all the energy in your home solar system:

    "so let the sun bathe
    let the sun bathe
    we'll still have life, we'll burn even brighter
    we'll drain the well, turn all to hell,
    leave the earth's surface to the worthless dirt"

    Type III would be all the power in a single galaxy.
    Flag kardashevscaleon February 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:yeah we're, more equal,
    we'll move you people,
    off the planet cause GODDAMN we need the fuel
    Flag mrgrimmon March 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think the "We are just a child" line refers to America itself being seen as a "young" nation. Being only ~230 years old is a child compared to many other nations.

    "We stare into space with grins on our faces" refers to the need to be the pioneers of space exploration. The space race with Russia was a big deal and the arrogance of this country after they became the policemen of the world after WWII kicked into overdrive.

    "We are old and tell the children
    when to kill and when to sit still"
    To me this refers to the politicians. Despite being a young country, it's always been ruled by the old, powerful, rich white men, if you will. Sending the country's children off to kill and die.

    "Cause god is with us, and our god's the richest" - That is my favorite line.
    Referring to George W. Bush claiming that going to war is god's will and that god talks to him.
    "God said we need the fuel"

    The US goes into countries and they get what they want by kicking in the door and bombing and shooting (or at least pointing the gun at) everyone in sight. Thus the American Empire grows.

    Such a powerful, piercing song.
    Flag DeafConon September 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:American greed... We are just a child symbolizes that we are so selfish and stupid i'm guessing.
    Flag BingoGuyon August 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:*
    So let the sun fade
    Let the sun fade
    We'll still have light
    We'll burn even brighter
    We'll drain the well tunnel to hell
    And leave the earth's surface to the worthless and dirt
    Let the beat roll over, the beat roll over
    Everyone in line, everyone in line
    To think we'll cease to find a reason
    To think its fair, to think its fair
    To think we care?
    Flag chemicaldanon August 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me this song is about how as people get older they come up with more elaborate rationalizations for their actions, but in the end, we do the same selfish things we did as kids.

    In that context, this song isn't necessarily only about America. Instead, it's about a more general human behavioral pattern that everyone the world over should be wary of both in themselves and in others.
    Flag distopiandreamguyon December 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:grims should be grins
    Flag pandora_ash_avalieon June 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:grims should be grins
    Flag pandora_ash_avalieon June 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's clearly about America's disgusting motives for interfering with other nations.
    Flag Alejoon May 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Ejohns88's lyrics for the last bit are much closer to the actual words, if not completely accurate.

    what a great tune!
    Flag dougerion April 24, 2007   Link

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