Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a picture of a group, the "children of yesterday," who refuse to grow up, clinging to a youthful, rebellious spirit. They're still sticking out their tongues and making noise, playing guitars, writing songs, and indulging in "weird herbs." This isn't just aimless rebellion; it's a deliberate choice to inhabit a perpetual state of adolescence, a refusal to conform to adult expectations. The repeated "La la la" sections act as a carefree, almost defiant, chorus, underscoring their commitment to this youthful idyll. The core tension lies between this chosen immaturity and the external world's judgment. Neighbors detest them, their every move is watched, yet they are also offered flowers, suggesting a complex relationship with society – perhaps one of grudging admiration or pity. This duality highlights their outsider status, simultaneously ostracized and, in a strange way, celebrated for their non-conformity. The narrator acknowledges this scrutiny, noting how they "take up our songs again in chorus," a communal act of defiance against the watchful eyes. The most striking element is the contrast between their present-day youthful antics and the "bitter lullaby" of their past. They recall being "little soldiers" during times of external war and internal cold, a stark image that suggests a childhood marked by hardship and conflict. This past trauma seems to be the very thing they are rebelling against, a reason to cling to the present and refuse to "grow up" into a world that was once so harsh. The repetition of the opening lines at the end reinforces this cyclical nature, emphasizing their ongoing resistance to leaving this state of arrested development. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw, unvarnished portrayal of a chosen defiance against the pressures of adulthood and a difficult past. The simple, declarative statements and the recurring, almost childlike, refrain create a powerful sense of solidarity among the "children of yesterday." It's a poignant, if slightly melancholic, anthem for those who find solace and identity in refusing to leave their youth behind, especially when that youth was forged in difficult circumstances.