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Rather be dead than alive by your oppression
Rather be dead than alive by your design
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
To be alive
Rather be dead than alive by your social values
Rather be dead than alive by your tradition
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
To be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
Rather be dead than alive by your design
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
To be alive
Rather be dead than alive by your social values
Rather be dead than alive by your tradition
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
To be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Rather be
Rather be alive
Rather be alive
Poisoned my fingers
Burned out my eyes
Cut down my throat
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He'd rather be dead than alive in a society that oppresses him, and then the chorus is basically talking about the struggles going to through just to be alive in such a society (obviously not literally). And then later saying although, i'd rather be alive. Meaning he wants to be alive, just not in that society.
Refused is one of the best bands from the 90s if not the best, they reformed hardcore punk's face, which started in 79-81 with Bad Brains, Minor Threat, D.O.A., Black Flag and so on.
As for the song meaning - it's simple, it's about making yourself who you are and not letting others affect you in a negative way - parents, the system, capitalism, etc. To be made a victim of that is worst than being dead. The end is positive, rather be alive - rather be yourself. :)
Simple and clever.
Anyway, besides that this is easily one of their best songs. Especially because of the "viva la revolucion" clip in the beginning, it speaks of the difficulties which people face in rising above the limitations they have in society. But the "rather be alive" is important, because it goes on to say that despite all the difficulties they face living it their way, they wouldn't want to "be alive" by someone else's design, and freely is really what makes life worth living.
They're hardcore. They pioneer the genre basically.
Anyways, the song is about a revolution and how the people being poressed are sick of what they have to live with and would rather be dead, but they realize that it is THEM that have to commit the revolution and fight for what's right for those who can't. For the future.
IDK how you can listen to this song and say they're not :P