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Rather than being all defensive of the children's innocence, in the involvement of evolving versions of vices on the Internet, parents can seek ways to upgrade their knowledge to equalize with the times. As that will better them to be aware of the arising issues and how possible they can address them.
Today I'm reviewing a reproving piece by Asa, dubbed - "There Is Fire On The Mountain" 2008. Listen 👈
Asa is a Nigerian songwriter and singer with a great command of her lyrical power. In this song, Asa is trying to extinguish the fire by bringing attention to the social issues that contribute to the struggles people face in their daily lives. She literally depicts the depleting phase of families, government, and institutions, in the light of the reckless decisions they make often and the damaging effects it has on the general masses. However, she balanced her tone with the call to effective action by all concerned bodies as earlier listed here.
The opening lines, "Oh there is fire on the mountain top And no one is running," represents a sense of urgency and danger that is not being addressed. And can be compared with parents who are neglectful of their children's needs and are failing to address serious problems that can have negative consequences in the future.
A clear instance can be inferred from parents' reaction to their children's use of code language or Internet lingo for communication. And the worse of it all is the fact that most parents are not informed about these changes and may not even know how to tackle such problems. While some parents treat such actions with levity, some don't even care at all. So to think that children from age 7 have devised some terminologies to converse with their peers even right their parents' presence, without them having a clue is worth getting worried about. And that goes on to spread the flaws of moral decadence in our society.
The subsequent lines, "I see the blood of an innocent child And everybody's watching," highlight the theme of indifference and apathy. This analyses how society as a whole often fails to take action in the face of injustice and suffering. And it is characterized by so much by power abuse.
The following lines, "I see an army of a soldier man Marching across the street Hey Mr. Soldier man Tomorrow is the day you go to war," shift the focus to the broader political context. Asa questions the motives of soldiers who are sent to fight in wars that may not be in their own best interest. This is a commentary on the use of military force to further the interest of those in power even when it goes against the interest of the ordinary citizens.
Apparently, the lines "But you are fighting for another man's cause And you don't even know him What did he say to make you so blind To your conscience and reason Could it be love for your country Or for the gun you use in killing" paint a striking picture of the consequences of blind allegiance to authority. In a similar way, parents who neglect their children's needs may be acting out of a sense of duty or loyalty to social norms, rather than a genuine concern for their children's wellbeing.
The next verse "Hey Mr. Lover Man" highlight the need for greater awareness and action to address the problem of neglect by the parents and its impact on children. Frequently we find young people who continue to engage in the style of living they naturally don't like but chose because no proper attention was given by parents to influence their decisions. Asa's powerful lyrics serve as a call to action for families to take responsibility for the messages that children are exposed to and to work towards creating a safer and more nurturing environment for them to grow up in.
The lines, "Can I get a chance to talk to you Cause you are fooling with a dead man's corpse And you don't know what you do," is the bard's way of addressing people(teens) behavior that is destructive and potentially dangerous. This can also be interpreted as a metaphor for how neglectful parents may be "killing" their children's future prospects and potential.
The subsequent lines, "So you say you have a lover And you love her like no other So you buy her a diamond That someone has died on Don't you think there's something wrong with this?" highlight the theme of materialism and how it can contribute to neglectful behavior. In this context, the diamond represents the material wealth that has been gained through someone else's misfortune or suffering.
The following lines, "Tell me who's responsible For what we teach our children? Is it the internet? Or the stars on television?" shift the focus to the broader societal issues that contribute to the problem of parental negligence. Asa questions who is ultimately responsible for the messages that children are exposed to and how these messages can influence their behavior and beliefs.
Expressly, the lines "Why o why o So little Lucy turns sixteen And like the movie she's been seeing She has a lover in her daddy She can't tell nobody 'Til she makes the evening news" design a clear image of the consequences of parental neglect. The character of Lucy is presented as a victim who has been exposed to inappropriate behavior and has no one to turn to for help. The reference to the "evening news" suggests that her story is a tragic and all-too-common occurrence.
The last part of the lyrics in "Fire on the Mountain" by Asa serves as a warning about the consequences of failing to address the problems facing society.
The strings "One day the river will overflow And there'll be nowhere for us to go" imply a sense of upcoming danger and doom. This can be inferred as an analogy for the consequences of neglecting serious issues, such as the welfare of children or the environment. The river overflowing illustrates a crisis point that the family reaches when it can no longer ignore the outcomes of its neglectful behavior.
The following lines,
"And we will run, run Wishing we had put out the fire,"
highlight the regret that people may feel when they realize the full extent of the damage caused by their neglectful behavior. The image of running away suggests a sense of desperation and panic, as people try to escape the consequences of their actions. The metaphor of putting out the fire could represent taking action to prevent problems from escalating and causing irreparable damage.
Overtly "Fire on the Mountain" by Asa serves as a powerful commentary on the issue of parental negligence and in a broader sense societal and political issues. The lyrics call for greater awareness and action to address the problems facing society, and for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
Generally, the lyrics in "Fire on the Mountain" by Asa is communicating a sense of urgency and warning about the consequences of neglecting important issues. It emphasizes the importance of taking action to prevent problems from escalating and causing irreversible damage. The lines suggest that if we fail to take action, we may ultimately regret our inaction and be forced to face the consequences of our neglect.
A Call To Mind
To avoid repeating a cycle of unproductive growth and unruly behavior from young stars, parents should be emotionally mature enough to know that their love and attention are enough to groom morally conscious children rather than using money and material things alone to communicate the affection they have for their children.
Thanks for engaging 🤗
Annie's Special Menu
Food To Eat
Yam porridge with goat meat
Book To Read
Emotionally Intelligent Parenting: How to Raise a Self-Disciplined, Responsible, Socially Skilled Child - by Daniel Goleman
Movie To See
What The Heart Can Take
Scripture To Meditate
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Thank you, dear esteemed reader, see you next Friday ❤
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