The Dead They Don't Come Back
Reflections on Mortality: The Eternal Rest
Lyrics
On my way to work, I noticed that
Reflecting on the way to work and noticing a cemetery.
I passed a cemetery, oh Lord
An expression of acknowledgment to a higher power (oh Lord) upon passing the cemetery.
I held my breath dead they don't come back
Feeling a sense of tension or unease and holding one's breath, emphasizing the finality of death.
Dead they don't come back
Reiteration of the irreversible nature of death.
Dead they don't, the dead they don't
Emphasizing that the dead cannot return.
Dead they don't come back
Reaffirmation of the idea that the dead do not come back.
And on my way to school
Transitioning to a different setting (on the way to school) and contemplating the challenges of life.
I passed that old graveyard
Passing by an old graveyard and reflecting on the loneliness and difficulty of life.
Life is mighty lonely and life is mighty hard
Expressing the hardships and challenges in life.
Dead they don't wake up
Stating that the dead do not wake up, emphasizing the finality of death.
Dead they don't wake up
Reiteration of the idea that the dead do not wake up.
Dead they don't, the dead they don't
Reaffirmation of the concept that the dead do not wake up.
Dead they don't wake up
Emphasizing the permanence of death.
Oh, I am on a ride
Shifting to a different perspective or state (on a ride) and measuring life in terms of time.
Measure the distance in time
Highlighting the importance of time in the journey of life.
I can see your teardrops behind that black
Observing tears behind a black veil, symbolizing mourning or grief.
Black veil made me hope for heaven and it
Linking the black veil to thoughts of heaven and hell, indicating a contemplation of the afterlife.
Made me scared for hell
Expressing a dual emotional response to thoughts of the afterlife, both hope and fear.
Dead they all will sleep
Stating that all will eventually sleep in death.
Dead they all will sleep
Reiteration that all will sleep in death, emphasizing universality.
Dead they all, the dead they all
Emphasizing that everyone, without exception, will sleep in death.
The dead they all will sleep
Reaffirmation that all will sleep in death.
And from time to time, I think about my grave
Contemplating one's own grave from time to time.
When I'm gonna have one and
Anticipating having a grave and wondering about the inscription.
What's it gonna say it feels good to rest
Expressing the idea that resting in death might be a welcome relief after a long day.
It's been a long long day
Acknowledging the weariness of a long day.
It's been a long, it's been a long
Repetition emphasizing the length of the day.
It's been a long long day
Reiteration of the idea of a long and tiring day.
Oh, I am on a ride
Revisiting the theme of being on a journey or ride, measuring life in terms of time.
Measure the distance in time
Reaffirming the importance of time in the journey of life.
And as sure as I was born i will die
Asserting the inevitability of death as a part of life.
And on my way back home
Returning home and stopping at a tombstone, expressing weariness and loneliness.
Stopped at your tombstone
Offering a prayer at the tombstone, indicating a sense of connection with the deceased.
Said a prayer for you, I was tired and alone
Expressing fatigue and solitude while remembering the deceased.
Said, Lord
Addressing the Lord and expressing a longing for a departed friend.
I miss my friend who's underneath my feet
Acknowledging the presence of the friend beneath one's feet, possibly at the gravesite.
May her soul, oh may her soul
Offering a wish for the friend's soul to rest in peace.
Oh may her soul rest in peace
Reiteration of the desire for the friend's soul to rest peacefully.
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