Lyrics
Today I killed, he was just a boy
Expresses the narrator's guilt and remorse for killing a young boy in war.
Eight before him, I knew them all
Indicates the narrator's involvement in the death of eight others before the mentioned boy.
In the fields, a dying oath
Refers to a solemn promise made in the face of death on the battlefield.
I'd kill them all to save my own
Reveals the desperate willingness to kill others to ensure one's own survival.
Cut me free, bleed with me, oh no
Requests companionship and shared suffering, possibly reflecting the brutality of war.
One by one, we will fall, down, down
Foretells the inevitable downfall of soldiers one by one.
Pull the plug, end the pain
Suggests a desire to end the pain and suffering, possibly through death.
Run and fight for life
Encourages running and fighting for life in the face of adversity.
Hold on tight, this ain't my fight
Expresses a sense of detachment, indicating that the fight is not personally owned.
Deliver me from this war
Pleads to be delivered from the horrors of war.
It's not for me, it's because of you
Clarifies that the plea is not for personal salvation but for the sake of others.
Devil's instant, my eternity
Describes the instantaneous nature of evil or destructive actions.
Obey to kill to save yourself
Conveys the idea of following orders to kill for self-preservation.
Cut me free, bleed with me, oh no
Reiterates the desire for shared suffering and release from pain.
One by one, we will fall, down, down
Repeats the theme of soldiers falling one by one.
Pull the plug, end the pain
Reiterates the wish to end the suffering and torment.
Run and fight for life
Encourages the struggle for survival and life.
Hold on tight, this ain't my fight
Emphasizes the narrator's lack of personal investment in the fight.
I envy the nine lives that gave me hell
Expresses envy for those who have escaped the narrator's hellish experiences.
My path made up by their torn bodies
Describes the narrator's path marked by the bodies of those who suffered alongside.
Man to man, soldier to soldier, dust to dust
Reflects on the equal footing of soldiers in death, emphasizing their shared humanity.
Call me a coward, but I can't take it anymore
Admits a sense of cowardice and an inability to endure further suffering.
They wait for me far back home
Indicates the anticipation of a welcome reception at home despite the unspeakable deeds.
They live with eyes turned away
Notes the collective turning away of eyes, possibly from the harsh realities of war.
They were the first ones to see
Highlights the paradox of those who witnessed the beginning of war being the ones to look away.
They are the last ones to bleed
Describes the witnesses as the last to suffer the consequences of war.
The ultimate high as all beautiful dies
Reflects on the temporary euphoria experienced when witnessing beauty in the midst of destruction.
A ruler's tool, a priest's excuse, a tyrant's delight
Critiques the abuse of power by rulers, priests, and tyrants for their own pleasure.
I alone, the great white hunter
Identifies the narrator as a solitary figure, possibly expressing a sense of isolation in war.
I'll march 'til the dawn brings me rest
Declares an unwavering commitment to continue marching until finding peace in death.
Tenth patriot at the gallows pole
Describes the narrator as the tenth patriot facing execution.
Cut me free, bleed with me, oh no
Reiterates the plea for shared suffering and release from pain.
One by one, we will fall, down, down
Repeats the theme of soldiers falling one by one.
Pull the plug, end the pain
Reiterates the wish to end the suffering and torment.
Run and fight for life
Encourages the struggle for survival and life.
Hold on tight, this ain't my fight
Emphasizes the narrator's lack of personal investment in the fight.
Cut me free, bleed with me, oh no
Reiterates the desire for shared suffering and release from pain.
One by one, we will fall, down, down
Repeats the theme of soldiers falling one by one.
Pull the plug, end the pain
Reiterates the wish to end the suffering and torment.
Run and fight for life
Encourages the struggle for survival and life.
Hold on tight, this ain't my fight
Emphasizes the narrator's lack of personal investment in the fight.
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