One For All

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of societal division, presenting a series of contrasting figures: a child in the ghetto, a beggar, a victim, and a queen. These individuals, despite their vastly different circumstances, are united by a common struggle for survival, driven by the relentless pursuit of money. The narrator observes this universal fight and feels compelled to intervene, highlighting the shared human condition beneath outward appearances. The central tension arises from the stark disparity between the haves and have-nots, framed as a "big fight for survival." The narrator directly challenges the listener's potential indifference, urging them to offer aid – "give 'em a dime?" or "a little drop of your wine?" This plea is amplified by the introduction of a veteran soldier and a man of the cloth, further diversifying the faces of need, all under the watchful eye of "sisters of mercy" collecting donations. The most striking aspect is the direct, almost confrontational call to action, rejecting superficial differences like "religion, man, Your culture and your skin." The lyrics dismiss "selfish gods" in favor of a more tangible, humanitarian ethic, urging listeners to "Share your wealth and stop the terror from within!" This internal "terror" is linked to greed, as the narrator points out the futility of accumulating wealth that cannot be taken into the afterlife, concluding with the grim observation, "The poorman gets poorer!!!" This direct address and the stark, almost biblical pronouncements create a powerful emotional impact. By juxtaposing extreme poverty with the potential for wealth, and then questioning the value of that wealth in the face of death and suffering, the lyrics provoke a sense of urgency and moral responsibility. The final, blunt statement about the poor becoming poorer leaves the listener with a lingering, uncomfortable truth.