Power and the Passion

I was listening to “Power and the Passion” by Midnight Oil.  I really like that tune.  Like so much of their stuff I want to play it loud.  I thought I had better check out what it was about.  I came across a summation that is unofficial but seems to reflect the gist of what is being said.  ““Power and the Passion” is a lament about the apathy of Australians, a nation which the Oils claim is so stunningly beautiful that it lulls its citizenry into accepting the influence of superpowers, capitalism and a lingering ‘blue rinse’ conservatism.”
It was the words of how the song ends that got my attention and got me thinking.  “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.”  In the context of the song, I do believe that.
It is in the wider context I have trouble with it.  What I say to myself is “it depends who you bow the knee to.”  If it is a despot or regime that brings bondage to its citizenry, it seems to me peaceful arms are a good idea (as they espouse).
But if the object of who I bow the knee to is someone I want to do that for and am willing to do that without coercion or having it forced on me, I will happily submit.
I reckon Dylan was so right when he sang “you gotta serve somebody.”  It is like the words of a song I like that says “saying nothing is saying no.”  I have a problem with neutrality.  It seems some have a bet each way.  That probably is a good short-term strategy but it is flawed.  It is a misnomer to think these countries are guaranteed to  become the friend of the conqueror.  What seems to happen is the neutral country is considered helpful as it does not get in the way.  There is time to deal with them later.  It does not matter who, but everyone is subject to someone.
I want to choose.  I am presented with a heap of options.  As Midnight Oil appears to point out, apathy is one of them.  I have it good.  It is like all will continue as it has.  As covid shows that is not assured.  I appreciate so much of what I hear, but I cannot help think that freedom is seen to be a bigger cage.
Freedom to me is breaking out of the cage, but even breaking out of the cage signifies a choice of who I am going to bow my knee to.