Bella Ross

Close Reading: Dancin on the Run

Inez Jasper: Dancin on the Run

The title Dancing on the Run refers to the many Canadian and American laws meant to
diminish important aspects and traditions of different indigenous cultures. One of these
many laws banned potlatches and traditional dances, in an attempt to force indigenous
people to assimilate into the dominant white culture. Additionally, dancing has a
connotation of happiness, encouraging indigenous youth to be happy and empowered.
No matter what they say, No matter what they do
These lines encourage rebellion, self-expression, and confidence.
Verse:
I know, I know
They say, they say You cant, you cant
Once again, this refers to the laws against dancing. It also has a more general meaning.
Even though the laws against dancing have been repealed, systematic and personal
discrimination towards indigenous people still exists, and can discourage and
disempower indigenous youth. The words you cant can be finished with multiple
options: be happy, be brave, be successful, etc.
Sing it
Sing it with me.
We go, we go
No way, no way
This line is once again encouraging rebellion against discriminatory laws and other forms
of oppression. We go may just be a colloquialism for we say, making the sentence
We say, no way, but it most likely has a more significant meaning. This line is
in reference to colonists taking Canadian Aboriginal land and trying to strip them of their
cultures/traditions, but it is claiming that they will not abandon their land or their
cultures. Additionally, we go and no way are both repeated twice, just as you cant
signifying that this a response and rebuttal to the earlier line.

Today, today
Things are gonna change
Prechorus:
So were gonna fly Higher to the sky.
This line is symbolic flying to the sky invokes a positive feeling and images of
moving upward. This is another line encouraging rebellion, and is reminiscent of rise
up, a commonly used phrase in activism.
Chorus:
No matter what they say
We gonna dance together.
No matter what they do
We gonna dance together.
No matter what they want
No matter what they say and no matter what they do refers to the laws against
traditional dances, as well as, more generally, systematic societal oppression that exists
today. We gonna dance together literally means that they will hold onto their
traditional dances, but it also means that they will not let others force them to be unhappy
or unsuccessful, or abandon their cultures.
We gonna dance forever.
This line means that they will never abandon their cultures, and that those who try to
diminish it will never be successful.
Me You
This line promotes inclusivity and unity. It seeks to encourage togetherness and
happiness despite circumstances.
Dancin
On the Run (2x)
Verse 2

No one, no one
Can stop, can stop
The time, the time
Say it, just say it with me.
We take, we take
A chance, a chance
Each line is repeated for emphasis here, and indicates that this process is ongoing.
People have tried to suppress important aspects of indigenous cultures for hundreds of
years, and many people are still prejudiced. However, despite this, indigenous people
have been able to hold onto their many cultures.
You cant escape that things are gonna change
This line not being repeated after all of the previous repetitions brings attention to the
line. The breaking of the pattern and stopping of repetition evokes the sentiment of this
line: there will be a significant change.
Bridge
Chorus (x2)
We are gonna dance forever (x2)