Don't Tread On Me [Damn Yankees, featuring Tommy Shaw]

Don't Tread On Me
Written by Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent
Lead Vocals by Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw

Freedom rider on a midnight cruise
On my way, I got nothing to lose
Sister mercy gonna take my hand
Lead me over to the promised land

But you'd better not set your sights on me
'Cause it just might spoil your victory

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try and make some fool of me
Don't you dare, don't you tread on me

We walked the ground of ancient ones
Lit the fire with a Rising Sun
You and me, we got a full on rage
Won't get fooled, no I won't be caged

Make love not war, was your claim to fame
Now you're takin' me down, well I won't be tamed

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try and make some fool of me
Don't you tread on me

You'd better turn and walk away
Don't you tread on me
Might learn to love another day
Now I know you need to hear me say
All I want is you

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try and make some fool of me
Don't you dare, don't you tread on

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try and make your sin on me
Don't you tread on

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you dare forget your history
Don't you tread on me

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me
Don't you try and make some fool of me
Don't you dare, don't you tread on

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me
Don't you tread on me

Don't you tread on me

Interpretation

One of the first battle flags in the American Revolution featured a rattlesnake with the words "Don't Tread On Me. That flag still represents the sentiments of American patriotism today, especially in times of war.

One example cited is the response of the United States to the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. The response was a war in the Pacific that eventually led to the detonation of two atomic bombs in Japan, who used the Rising Sun flag throughout World War II.