Badlands
Echoes of Desolation: Unraveling the Dark Tale in 'Badlands'
Lyrics
they call this the badlands baby, yeah
Introduction to the setting referred to as the Badlands.
but it used to be bayou, the shore of an inland sea
Describes the origin of the Badlands as a bayou, the shore of an inland sea.
but i can hear you coming, hear you coming
Repetition emphasizing the anticipation of someone approaching.
hear you coming, hear you coming
-hear you coming, hear you coming
-hear you coming, hear you coming
-what foul beast stalks this way?
Poetic inquiry about a mysterious presence approaching.
the night is dim, but i catch the scent, of your arrogance
Reference to the night, describing the scent of arrogance associated with the approaching figure.
as you rear your head, i can see your eyes
Visualizing the figure, noting the gleaming eyes that seem dangerous.
gleaming, catching light from the moon, like a pair of knives to cut me down
Comparing the eyes to knives, signifying a potential threat.
theres a hole in the world, and the light is leaking out
Metaphorically addressing a hole in the world and the leaking light, possibly symbolizing a loss or negativity.
spilling like water, and i can hear you coming, hear you coming
Reiteration of the anticipation of the approaching figure along with the leaking light.
hear you coming, hear you coming
-hear you coming, hear you coming
-hear you coming, hear you coming
-what new devilry is this?
Expressing surprise or concern about a new mysterious occurrence.
i saw you rise, and creep across the sky, and all night as i fled
Observation of the mysterious figure's rise and movement across the sky.
you came behind, eating all the stars
Imagery of the figure consuming stars, suggesting a destructive force.
dig to find, why the light left
Desire to understand why the light (positive elements) left.
rocks and stones, skulls and bones
Listing elements like rocks and bones, possibly representing obstacles and remnants of the past.
whispered stories, tales of glory, and a tragic fall from grace
Introduction of stories, glory, and a tragic fall from grace, indicating a history of downfall.
and a tragic fall from grace, and a tragic fall from grace
Repetition of the tragic fall from grace, emphasizing its significance.
and were still falling, just like the dinosaurs
Comparison of the ongoing fall to the fate of dinosaurs, suggesting a continuous decline.
a tragic fall from grace
Final emphasis on the ongoing tragic fall from grace.
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