Text written by WikiBrother Gabriel Brandino , from @moshinhell
Today we'll be explaining the Metallica about justice, or perhaps the lack thereof, "...And Justice For All".
The song is on the band's self-titled album, and is their first since the death of bassist Cliff Burton .
This album has a darker theme, containing references to injustice in the legal system, suppression of freedoms, wars, insanity and hatred, and musically speaking it was the band's most complex album up to that point.
Perhaps one of the main references for the composition of this song was a film, from the same year, starring Al Pacino , in 1979.
In it, Pacino plays a lawyer who realizes that the justice system is full of corruption and injustice.
One interesting fact about the song's title, and even the film's title, is that it's clearly ironic: "And justice for all".
However, the word "and" before "justice" is not accidental, as the sound of the two words together in English is similar to "injustice," which fits perfectly with the lyrics of the song.
United States there is also the "Pledge of Allegiance," something similar to an oath to the flag, which was quite common in schools in the past. And this oath always ended with the phrase "with liberty and justice for all."
"Courtrooms painted green, money rules"
Right from the first verse, the band shows that justice only works for those who have money.
"Justice is lost, justice is raped, justice is over.
By pulling strings, justice is done.
Without seeking the truth, victory is everything.
It seems so sinister, so true, so real."
When he says that justice is raped, he is probably referring to Lady Justice , who is an allegorical personification of moral strength in judicial systems, and who is present on the album cover.
What the song is trying to say is that justice is becoming corrupted by money.
"I can't believe the things you say.
I can't believe, I can't believe the price you pay.
Nothing can save you."
Here is a moment of outrage, where an outsider is perplexed by the lies, and probably by the price paid to ensure justice is on their side.
And no matter how much earthly justice absolves the guilty, nothing will save their soul.
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