What do you think The Flag means?

Barenaked Ladies: The Flag Meaning

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Album cover for The Flag album cover

The Flag Lyrics

The phone rings, it's early, it's seven o'clock.
He says sorry I woke you, but I just had to talk
You know last night, remember when I tried to choke you?
I didn't mean it, I was drunk, it was only a joke.
You should know that by now,
when...

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  1. anonymous
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     Mar 5th 2017 !⃝

    I agree with Lainey except I think when she tries to leave him in the end, he kills her. The song has a snare drum playing taps which hints at a funeral. I think the list at the end is her life flashing before her eyes. And the raven at the end is a symbol for her death.

  2. anonymous
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     Jun 11th 2007 !⃝

    I'm gonna agree with Lainey, except I (optimistically maybe) think that there is indication that at the end, she leaves him. At least, that's how I interpret
    "There goes a forest and there goes a bluebird/There goes a partridge and there goes a Go Train" (etc)

  3. lainey79
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     May 17th 2006 !⃝

    This song is about an abusive relationship and how the woman tries to stand up for herself only to get hurt worse in the end.

    In the beginning he says "When the checkered flag comes down.." it signifies that nobody is the winner in this relationship.

    The he comes back again and after he uses her for sex (over and over and under) she realizes she can't take any more.

    So when she stands us to him he beats her again and the end is just the results. The flag (relationship) has been shredded and the rest is pretty self explanatory.


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