Lyrics
I hear the roar of a big machine
I perceive the powerful noise of a large machine
Two worlds and in between
Refers to two contrasting worlds with something in between
Hot metal and methedrine
Mentions intense heat, metal, and the drug methedrine
I hear empire down
I hear the collapse or decline of an empire
I hear empire down
Reiteration of the decline of an empire
I hear the roar of a big machine
Repeats the perception of a large machine's roar
Two worlds and in between
Restates the existence of two worlds with something in between
Love lost, fire at will
Describes a state of lost love and the readiness to engage in conflict
Dum-dum bullets and shoot to kill, I hear
Mentions the use of dum-dum bullets and the command to shoot to kill
Dive, bombers, and
Refers to dive bombers in the context of the empire's decline
Empire down
Reiterates the fall or decline of an empire
Empire down
Repetition emphasizing the empire's decline
I hear the sons of the city and dispossessed
Hears the voices of the city's sons who have been dispossessed
Get down, get undressed
Encourages getting down and undressed, possibly expressing rebellion
Get pretty but you and me,
Suggests a contrast between superficial beauty and the speaker and listener having the kingdom and key
We got the kingdom, we got the key
Highlights the possession of the kingdom and key
We got the empire, now as then,
Emphasizes the possession of the empire, with continuity from the past
We don't doubt, we don't take direction,
Asserts confidence, refusing doubt and rejecting external guidance
Lucretia, my reflection, dance the ghost with me
References "Lucretia, my reflection," and suggests dancing with a ghost, possibly symbolizing introspection
We look hard
Observing intensely or scrutinizing
We look through
Continues the theme of intense observation
We look hard to see for real
Struggling to see things clearly and genuinely
Such things I hear, they don't make sense
Expresses confusion about things heard that lack coherence
I don't see much evidence
States a lack of tangible proof for what is heard
I don't feel. I don't feel. I don't Feel
Emphasizes a lack of emotional connection or response
A long train held up by page on page
Describes a long train delayed by extensive content or information
A hard reign held up by rage
Refers to a challenging reign sustained by anger
Once a railroad
Mentions the transformation of a railroad, possibly symbolizing change
Now it's done
Declares the completion or end of something that was once a railroad
I hear the roar of a big machine
Repeats the perception of a large machine's roar
Two worlds and in between
Restates the existence of two worlds with something in between
Hot metal and methedrine
Mentions intense heat, metal, and the drug methedrine
I hear empire down
Reiterates the fall or decline of an empire
We got the empire, now as then,
Emphasizes the possession of the empire, with continuity from the past
We don't doubt, we don't take reflection,
Asserts confidence, refusing doubt and rejecting external reflection
Lucretia, my direction, dance the ghost with me
References "Lucretia, my direction," and suggests dancing with a ghost, possibly symbolizing introspection
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