Cracks-int-the-Levee-0.mp3
Cracks-int-the-Levee-0.mp4
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Cracks-int-the-Levee-Unplugged-Underground-XIV.mp3
Cracks-int-the-Levee-Unplugged-Underground-XIV.mp4
Cracks-int-the-Levee-Unplugged.mp3
Cracks-int-the-Levee-Unplugged.mp4
Cracks-int-the-Levee-intro.mp3
[Intro]
If we don’t stop the reign
(A flood of pain)
[Verse 1]
Hans Brinker
(The thinker)
Ideas strike
(Along a dyke)
[Bridge]
If the leak is not stopped (Stop!)
It could grow into a major breach
Resulting in catastrophe (Can’t you see?)
(Land turned to beach)
If we don’t stop the reign
(A flood of pain)
[Chorus]
There’s a crack in the levee
And, it’s going to break
Fatalities… obviously
(For God’s sake!)
[Verse 2]
What’s your role
(Plug that hole!)
We’ve got to seek
(To stop the leak)
[Bridge]
If the leak is not stopped (Stop!)
It could grow into a major breach
Resulting in catastrophe (Can’t you see?)
(Land turned to beach)
If we don’t stop the reign
(A flood of pain)
[Chorus]
There’s a crack in the levee
And, it’s going to break
Fatalities… obviously
(For God’s sake!)
[Outro]
If we don’t stop the reign
(A flood of pain)
ABOUT THE SONG
The story of the boy who sticks his finger in the dyke comes from a popular legend often attributed to the Netherlands. It is most famously told in the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge, an American author.
The Story:
In the tale, a young Dutch boy is walking along a dyke when he notices a small leak where water is beginning to trickle through. Understanding that dykes protect the land from being flooded by the sea, he realizes that if the leak is not stopped, it could grow into a major breach, causing catastrophic flooding.
Despite the cold and the long night ahead, the boy bravely sticks his finger into the hole to block the water, staying there until morning. When villagers find him, they repair the dyke, preventing disaster. His selfless act of courage and quick thinking save the town.
Meaning and Legacy:
Though the story is not a genuine Dutch folktale, it has become a symbol of heroism, vigilance, and the importance of small actions in preventing large disasters. It reflects themes of responsibility and civic duty, emphasizing how one person’s determination can make a difference. The tale has been widely retold and remains a part of popular culture when discussing acts of self-sacrifice for the greater good.