Song Meaning
The lyrics for "President Amin" immediately establish a chilling sense of dread and urgency. A figure, identified as "President Amin," is described as "coming" and already "on the scene." The narrative quickly shifts to his horrific actions, systematically "killing / The black brothers and sisters."
This escalating violence is starkly conveyed through a chilling numerical progression: "One by one / Two by two / And three by three." The narrator paints Amin as a figure of profound evil, declaring, "This man is dread / He's dreader than dread." This figure, who rules in Uganda, appears driven by a megalomaniacal ambition, aiming to "rule all of Africa" and be "king of kings / And lords of lords."
The craft here is direct and impactful. The repetition of "He is coming" creates an inescapable sense of impending doom, while the numerical count of victims makes the scale of the atrocities horrifyingly tangible. The phrase "dread" and its intensification to "dreader than dread" elevates Amin's malevolence beyond human cruelty, suggesting an almost mythical evil. Yet, the lyrics offer a powerful counterpoint to this ambition.
What makes these lyrics so effective is their unvarnished condemnation and ultimate defiance. The grandiosity of Amin's desire to be "king of kings" is immediately undercut by the firm, resolute declaration: "But he will never be lord of lords." This final, unwavering statement provides a crucial moment of moral resistance, asserting a spiritual authority that transcends the dictator's earthly power and offers a defiant glimmer of hope against overwhelming terror.