Lyrics
The eastern world is explodin'
The eastern world is experiencing turmoil and chaos.
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
Violence is escalating, and weapons are being prepared.
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You are old enough to go to war but not old enough to vote.
You don't believe in war, what's that gun you're totin'
Despite claiming not to believe in war, you carry a gun.
Even the Jordan river has bodies floatin'
Even the Jordan River has become a site of death and conflict.
But you tell me over and over again
The speaker hears repeated denials of the impending destruction.
You don't believe you’re on the eve of destruction
You deny being on the verge of destruction.
Eve of Destruction
Repetition of the title, emphasizing the theme of impending destruction.
The eve of destruction
Reiteration of the idea that it is the eve of destruction.
Don't you understand what I'm trying to say
The speaker questions if the listener comprehends the message.
Can't you feel the fears that I'm feeling today
Asking if the listener feels the same fears that the speaker is experiencing.
If the button is pushed, there's no running away
Highlighting the lack of escape if destructive actions are taken.
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Emphasizing the dire consequences with no one to save the world.
Take a look around you my boy, it's bound to scare you my boy
Encouraging observation of the alarming reality.
Eve of destruction
Reaffirming the eve of destruction.
Yea my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
The speaker's anger is intense and feels like it's clotting.
I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin'
The speaker is reflecting, contemplating the situation.
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation
The truth cannot be distorted, and there is no control over it.
Handful of Senators don't pass legislation,
A small number of Senators cannot enact effective laws.
And marches alone can't bring integration
Mere marches cannot bring about integration.
When human respect is in disintegration'
Human respect is deteriorating.
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'
The world's craziness is frustrating to the speaker.
And you tell me over and over again
Repetition of disbelief in the impending destruction.
That you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
The speaker questions the listener's disbelief.
Eve of destruction, eve of destruction
Repetition of the eve of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Contemplating the hatred in Red China.
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Comparing the hatred in Red China to the situation in Selma, Alabama.
you may leave here, for four days in space
Leaving for space for a short time, but returning to the same problems.
But when you return, it's the same old place
The persistence of problems in the same place.
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace
Describing the persistent drums, pride, and disgrace.
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace
Burying the dead without leaving a trace.
Hate your next-door-neighbour, but don't forget to say grace
Encouraging grace despite hating neighbors.
And you tell me over and over again (Eve of destruction)
Repetition of the disbelief in the eve of destruction.
I said you don't believe you’re on the eve of destruction
Emphasizing that the listener is in denial of the impending destruction.
We don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
Collective disbelief in the eve of destruction.
Eve of destruction
Reiteration of the eve of destruction.
Eve of destruction
Final repetition of the eve of destruction, concluding the song.
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