This song is quite clearly about oppression and revolution, obvious themes in Clash lyrics. The first verse refers to the Nazis, with lines like, "Is this man a Jew?" and "We will teach our blue-eyed men to be young believers." They also touched upon the situation of workers, how they're jobs can seem to be a type of tyranny as well. Certainly against the situation of the average factory worker. However, there is a call for revolution, although its not clear if they mean a peaceful type (as I imagine they do) or one achieved through violence. They general took stances against violence. However, the make refers to "evil presidentes" how have "fully paid their dues" which seems like a clear referrence to the success of the Sandinista rebellion, which displaced the government in Nicaragua through civil war in the year this album was released. They also later gave their name to the band's next album (that, obviously is "Sandinista!"). "The wall" in this song, may indeed refer to the Berlin Wall, as, although the Clash is generally socialist politically, they did seem to criticize the Soviet's (although more so the Americans) in "The Washington Bullets." However, this could be a metaphor, referring to any restraints on people's freedom.
This song is quite clearly about oppression and revolution, obvious themes in Clash lyrics. The first verse refers to the Nazis, with lines like, "Is this man a Jew?" and "We will teach our blue-eyed men to be young believers." They also touched upon the situation of workers, how they're jobs can seem to be a type of tyranny as well. Certainly against the situation of the average factory worker. However, there is a call for revolution, although its not clear if they mean a peaceful type (as I imagine they do) or one achieved through violence. They general took stances against violence. However, the make refers to "evil presidentes" how have "fully paid their dues" which seems like a clear referrence to the success of the Sandinista rebellion, which displaced the government in Nicaragua through civil war in the year this album was released. They also later gave their name to the band's next album (that, obviously is "Sandinista!"). "The wall" in this song, may indeed refer to the Berlin Wall, as, although the Clash is generally socialist politically, they did seem to criticize the Soviet's (although more so the Americans) in "The Washington Bullets." However, this could be a metaphor, referring to any restraints on people's freedom.