Roof of the World
Reflections on Humanity's Perpetual Story
Lyrics
As I look back my anger turns to rage
Reflecting on the past, anger intensifies into rage.
These eyes become the windows to a cage
One's eyes symbolize confinement, like windows to a cage.
Peace? When has peace had its page?
Questioning the existence of peace and its recognition in history.
Nothing but the same old story
Expressing disillusionment, emphasizing repetition of a familiar narrative.
As I look back, it looks me in the face
Confronting the past, it confronts the speaker.
Once small step means McDonald's in space
Connecting progress ("small step") with commercialization (McDonald's in space).
To sleep soundly is to know your place
Sleeping soundly implies conformity and acceptance of one's societal role.
Nothing but the same old story
Reiterating the monotony of the prevailing narrative.
Sometimes I feel like the roof of the world
Feeling overwhelmed as if the weight of the world has fallen upon them.
Crashed down on my head and crumbled
Describing the emotional impact of a burdensome world collapsing.
Sometimes I feel like the roof of the world
Repeating the sentiment of feeling crushed by the world.
Crashed down on my head and crumbled
Reiterating the emotional impact of the world's collapse on the speaker.
As I look back every killer has his day
Looking back, recognizing the historical actions of killers (referring to atomic bombings).
Little Boy, Fat Man and Enola Gay
Referencing historical events and the use of nuclear weapons.
In God we trust and bombs away
Highlighting trust in God juxtaposed with the destructive power of bombs.
Nothing but the same old story
Emphasizing the recurring nature of destructive patterns in history.
As I look back my anger turns to hate
Anger transforming into hate, referencing a historical tragedy (Holocaust).
Six million Jews just to test my faith
Using a tragic event to challenge or test the speaker's faith.
The voice of reason is a limited trait
Describing reason as a limited quality in the face of atrocities.
Nothing but the same old story
Reiterating the cyclical and unchanging nature of historical narratives.
Sometimes I feel like the roof of the world
Repeating the feeling of being crushed by the weight of the world.
Crashed down on my head and crumbled
Expressing the emotional impact of the world's collapse on the speaker.
Sometimes I feel like the roof of the world
Reiterating the emotional experience of the world crumbling.
Crashed down on my head and crumbled
Emphasizing the emotional weight of the world's collapse on the speaker.
As I look back it looks me in the face
Reflecting on the past, it confronts the speaker directly.
Our legacy is a lesson in waste
Describing the legacy as a lesson in wastefulness.
Of things to come maybe just a taste
Suggesting that current actions may only be a preview of future consequences.
And all for the greater glory
Stating that everything is done for the greater glory, possibly sarcastically.
And all for the greater glory
Repeating the notion of actions being done for a supposed greater glory.
And all for the greater glory
Reiterating the idea of actions being undertaken for a perceived greater glory.
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