Anaïs Mitchell – Why We Build The Wall Lyrics - Genius

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Why We Build the Wall Lyrics

Obviously, a wall around the underworld would be meant primarily to keep people in. But the most effective way to keep people in is a mental wall: the idea that something outside is worse. The circular… Read More [HADES]Why do we build the wall, my children, my children?Why do we build the wall?[ALL TOGETHER]Why do we build the wall?We build the wall to keep us freeThat’s why we build the wallWe build the wall to keep us free[HADES]How does the wall keep us free, my children, my children?How does the wall keep us free?[ALL TOGETHER]How does the wall keep us free?The wall keeps out the enemyAnd we build the wall to keep us freeThat’s why we build the wallWe build the wall to keep us free[HADES]Who do we call the enemy, my children, my children?Who do we call the enemy?[ALL TOGETHER]Who do we call the enemy?The enemy is povertyAnd the wall keeps out the enemyAnd we build the wall to keep us freeThat’s why we build the wallWe build the wall to keep us freeYou might also like[HADES]Because we have and they have not, my children, my childrenBecause they want what we have got[ALL TOGETHER]Because we have and they have notBecause they want what we have gotThe enemy is povertyAnd the wall keeps out the enemyAnd we build the wall to keep us freeThat’s why we build the wallWe build the wall to keep us free[HADES]What do we have that they should want, my children, my children?What do we have that they should want?[ALL TOGETHER]What do we have that they should want?We have a wall to work uponWe have work and they have noneAnd our work is never doneMy children, my childrenAnd the war is never wonThe enemy is povertyAnd the wall keeps out the enemyAnd we build the wall to keep us freeThat’s why we build the wallWe build the wall to keep us freeWe build the wall to keep us free2EmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio2 contributors

Obviously, a wall around the underworld would be meant primarily to keep people in. But the most effective way to keep people in is a mental wall: the idea that something outside is worse.

The circular argument made by the residents of Hadestown is that building the wall provides meaningful work and a common goal: specifically, the work of keeping out those poor people who lack meaningful work and a common goal. Stories of the underworld often tell of people forced as punishment to perform useless, never-ending tasks – in Hadestown, the people have been convinced to do so willingly.

This is reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984, where the country is in a state of eternal war with its neighbors, whose only purpose is to give the citizens a cause to unite and an enemy to blame for their problems – Big Brother could not possibly maintain an iron grip on his people in a time of peace.

During the 2016 American election campaigns, Anaïs Mitchell wrote for Huffington Post that new life seemed breathed into the old song. The songwriter referenced the song to request that the United States not elect the sort of demagogue described in the play.

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Ask a questionWhat has the media said about the song?Genius Answer1 contributor

In 2018, NPR ranked this as the #45 greatest song by a female or nonbinary artist in the 21st century, saying:

They say certain songwriters are given five perfect songs from God (or whatever spiritual force you follow). ‘Why We Build The Wall’ is one of folk singer Anaïs Mitchell’s God Songs. First recorded on Mitchell’s 2010 album Hadestown, a folk opera based on the myth of Orpheus, it’s told from the perspective of Hades, king of the underworld, portrayed by veteran singer-songwriter Greg Brown. Hades is explaining isolationism to his citizens: ‘Why do we build the wall, my children?’ The wall represents safety, security and wealth, the things humans fear losing to ‘the others’ in society. Mitchell captured all that in an ingenious song that’s experienced a new life onstage, especially since the 2016 presidential election.

+11Who produced “Why We Build the Wall” by Anaïs Mitchell?When did Anaïs Mitchell release “Why We Build the Wall”?Who wrote “Why We Build the Wall” by Anaïs Mitchell?Hadestown (2010)Anaïs Mitchell

1. 1. Wedding Song
2. 2. Epic, Pt. 1
3. 3. Way Down Hadestown
4. 4. Songbird Intro
5. 5. Hey, Little Songbird
6. 6. Gone, I’m Gone
7. 7. When the Chips Are Down
8. 8. Wait for Me
9. 9. Why We Build the Wall
10. 10. Our Lady of the Underground
11. 11. Flowers (Eurydice’s Song)
12. 12. Nothing Changes
13. 13. If It’s True
14. 14. Papers (Hades Finds Out)
15. 15. How Long?
16. 16. Epic (Part II)
17. 17. Lover’s Desire
18. 18. His Kiss, the Riot
19. 19. Doubt Comes In
20. 20. I Raise My Cup to Him

CreditsFeaturingGreg BrownProducerTodd SickafooseWriterAnaïs MitchellReleased onMarch 9, 2010Why We Build the Wall CoversWhy We Build the Wall by Billy BraggWhy We Build the Wall RemixesWhy We Build the Wall by Original Cast of Hadestown (Ft. Nabiyah Be & Patrick Page)TagsPopUSAIn EnglishConcept AlbumMusicalsFolkExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up