Exodus
From Theholdsteady
The Exodus is the second book of the old testament which details the settlement, enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, as well as their eventual escape led by Moses.
The following line 'up till then I only knew it was a movement of the people', however, suggests some different associations.
The second interpetation is drawn from live versions of the song, in which Craig Finn clearly sings 'jah people', instead of 'the people'. The accent and style in which the line is sung is a clear reference to the 1977 track and album by Bob Marley and the Wailers. This could mean that Gideon is simply filling in his gaps about Reggae music, (not unlikely given that he is made out to be a drug user from later tracks), and not appreciating the deeper meaning of the text.