Photo by Timothy Dykes
American Contemporary Christian band We the Kingdom is a relative newcomer. Beginning in 2018, they released one album and 5 EP’s, including:
- Live at the Wheelhouse (EP, 2019)
- Live Acoustic Sessions (EP, 2020)
- The Awakening (EP, 2020)
- The Battle (EP, 2020)
- The Journey (EP, 2020)
- Holy Water (2020)
They won a GMA Dove last year for New Artist of the Year.
Also, check out my review of Holy Water.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
This song is a Satan smackdown, touching on the devil’s rebellion. He perhaps originated gossip that Jesus never resurrected. He is, after all, the father of lies.
We The Kingdom calls for Satan’s removal in Jesus’ name. In other words, Christ will grant them the power to resist the devil, rendering Satan’s weapons ineffective. His demise will come to an end when he’s thrown into the lake of fire. It reminds me of that one scene in War Room, where Elizabeth Jordans kicks the devil out in Jesus’ name.
Side Note: To those sensitive to massive repetition, Bridge alternates lines four times with little variation. Refrain does it with a single line.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
It lines up perfectly with the Bible.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
Oh no, you’ve done it now
Gone against the King, gone against the Crown
Said oh no, you’ve done it now
Time to feel the fire
Based on the context of Verse 2 and Chorus, “you’ve” refers to Satan, who went against God (Job 38:4-7, Ezekiel 28:12–17, and Luke 10:18) and will one day be cast into hell (Revelation 20:10).
[Verse 2]
Rumors, spreading around
How could you think He would stay down?
Said rumors, spreading around
You’re nothing but a liar
This is a subtle reference to the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Still, there was a rumor that went around, that the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:13). Was Satan the instigator of this theory? Perhaps. After all, he is a deceiver (Genesis 3:4, Genesis 3:13, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and Revelation 20:7-10).
[Chorus]
Get on outta here, get on up and leave
Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me
We The Kingdom resists the devil, causing him to flee (James 4:7). Given Bridge, we can reasonably assume that this bold claim comes from genuine children of God.
Side Note: Ironically, there exists a 1775 Gadsden flag that served as American independence from British rule. It features a rattlesnake on a yellow background with the words “dont tread on me” inscribed underneath.
He’s choking on the blood that ran down the tree
This grotesque imagery is poetic license, that Jesus’ blood shed for us destroys the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me
Repeats line 2.
[Bridge]
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
This is the rite given to children of God (Isaiah 54:17).
Don’t tread on me
Repeats part of Chorus, line 2.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Don’t tread on me (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Don’t tread on me (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Essentially repeats lines 1 and 2, as well as Chorus, line 2.
In Jesus’ name (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
It is through obedience to Jesus that Chorus, line 2, comes into fulfillment, showing that there’s power in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17, Luke 10:17, Acts 3:6, Acts 3:12-16, Acts 4:30, Romans 10:13, and Philippians 2:9-11).
[Refrain]
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Singing oh, oh-oh-oh (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh (Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me)
Combines Chorus, line 2, with Casper the friendly ghost.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
When they hear this song, unbelievers will know We The Kingdom is telling someone to go kick rocks. Chorus reveals the recipient as the devil. The end of Bridge cements it as a Christian song, that We The Kingdom calls away Satan “in Jesus’ name”. The rest of the song repeats or derives from these main pointers. Their everyday language, sprinkled with a smattering of Christianese, makes interpretation easy for non-Christians.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God in that His children call upon His name to repel Satan.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
We the Kingdom’s Don’t Tread on Me is a worthy battle cry against Satan. It calls for Christians to realize our authority over the devil, that Satan will leave when we call upon Jesus. Even unbelievers can understand this basic concept.
This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Don’t Tread on Me (listen to the song)
Artist: We the Kingdom
Album: Holy Water
Genre: Pop
Release Year: 2020
Duration: 4:01
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2020 We The Kingdom Music (BMI) Bay19 (ASCAP) Scott Cash Publishing Designee (BMI) Angie Feel Good Songs (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Comments
Terry Smith
I like this song (more for feel and anthem-ness) and I love We the Kingdom. That being said, I find the message confusing, especially in the context of the mentioned historical flag. According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag the intent of the flag was a message to the british crown, to not impede the liberties of the people of the 13 american colonies. By contrast, this song speaks of the power of the king, and the inherent freedom given by Christ.
At the very least, I think the cultural context of the ‘don’t tread on me’ Gadsden flag is likely to be familiar to an outside (non-christian) listener and therefore create an association with the rebellion AGAINST a king, thus confusing the message. The outsider score should be reduced by a few point IMHO.
Michael Bram
the explanation of the song was very good and helped me understand what was being said. While I think it is an interesting song telling an interesting story I don’t think it should be in a worship set at church. Just my opinion. Again, not a bad christian song just don’t see it fitting in a worship set.
Marianne
Simple! I love this song. Thank you for the walkthouth of the song with the Bibel scriptures
Kathy Page
Battle cry for all the family of Christ! God bless our prayers as we glorify God with it in King Jesus Holy Name we plead His Holy Blood. Holy Spirit reign sovereign Amen
Carrie
Agree. I went to this site so that I could see if my interpretation was what was meant by the artists. It was. This article did a great job matching it to scripture. Enlightening and powerful. Praise God for His Victory and our Battle Cry!