Indigo Girls - Sugar Tongue Lyrics

Verse one is about animals (all the fur and fin) and our use of our world for our gain and advancement (our better) and the effect it has on them. (Their worst reckoning.)

Verse two is about soldiers (kids) coming back from wars (hunting trips abroad) and our efforts to help them deal with PTSD and missing limbs, that cannot possibly make up for what's been lost.

Verse three is a slam on comfortable moderates and liberals whose only efforts with regard to injustice is to sit around pontificating and talking, and failing to actually do anything. Applying a small amount (spoonful) of dissent to a huge (an orchestra makes a big noise) need, and thinking they've somehow made a difference.

It's a really dark song with a really light and pretty melody, which suits the message.

I think it's about war in general. It refers back to the sugar trade and how countries will do anything to preserve its luxuries. All this is at the expense of the soldiers who do the dirty work and end up maimed and drug addicted with not enough support when they get home. When something is exploited (birds, whales, people) they can't be replaced.

trying to figure this one out is driving me crazy. Love the melody and it sticks in my head. Probably why the meaning is bothering me.
Janjaweed is a term for a Darfur-based militia with an Arabist agenda.

I believe this song to be about a war/wars in general. This is based on the use of such words in the song such as 'Ethylene, Janjaweed, Belladonna and Atropine'

No freakin' clue. Strangest word salad I've ever heard. But I love the melody. It's beautiful.