In the Eighties, South Africa was under the racially oppressive system of apartheid. Bishop Tutu, as the lyrics indicate, asked for the major Western nations to impose economic sanctions on his own country as a way to force a change. In 1986, the US Congress passed a bill imposing such sanctions. Ronald Reagan vetoed the bill, but the Senate overrode his veto. The lyrics here express frustration that the West acted with such hesitation to do the right thing.
"Silver and Gold" are precious metals and are used as a symbol of all economic power. "A prize fighter in a corner is told, 'Hit where it hurts – silver and gold'" summarizes the entire dynamic: Tutu tells the "prize fighter" (the major Western nations) to "hit where it hurts" (impose sanctions). A truly beautiful line, expressing the power of the West, the frustration that they remain "in a corner" (refusing to act), and the sure solution that their action could produce.
The Apartheid era ultimately ended with the first multiracial elections in 1994.
In the Eighties, South Africa was under the racially oppressive system of apartheid. Bishop Tutu, as the lyrics indicate, asked for the major Western nations to impose economic sanctions on his own country as a way to force a change. In 1986, the US Congress passed a bill imposing such sanctions. Ronald Reagan vetoed the bill, but the Senate overrode his veto. The lyrics here express frustration that the West acted with such hesitation to do the right thing.
"Silver and Gold" are precious metals and are used as a symbol of all economic power. "A prize fighter in a corner is told, 'Hit where it hurts – silver and gold'" summarizes the entire dynamic: Tutu tells the "prize fighter" (the major Western nations) to "hit where it hurts" (impose sanctions). A truly beautiful line, expressing the power of the West, the frustration that they remain "in a corner" (refusing to act), and the sure solution that their action could produce.
The Apartheid era ultimately ended with the first multiracial elections in 1994.