Sooner or Later
Eternal Choices: Rise Against's Sooner or Later Message
Lyrics
Here we burn the boats to ashes
Metaphorically burning the bridges, making a commitment with no retreat
After beaching on the shore
Arrival at a point of no return, after making a significant decision
Looked back across the ocean
Reflecting on the past, possibly regret or affirmation of the chosen path
Said we're never going home
Determination to stay on the current course, rejecting the idea of going back
And our shadows killed the flowers
Actions having negative consequences, symbolized by shadows killing flowers
Our footsteps spoiled the land
Human impact on the environment, acknowledging the harm caused
It seems we're always in the way
Feeling out of place, a sense of being a hindrance wherever one stands
No matter where we choose to stand
Continued sense of displacement, irrespective of location or choice
Can we just wait 'til this is over
Desire to delay facing the consequences of actions or decisions
If we know that our precious time is running out
Acknowledgment of the limited time available for delaying consequences
Sooner or later, comes a time
Anticipation of facing the repercussions of one's actions
When we will reap what we have sown
The inevitable consequence of reaping what has been sown in life
Sooner or later, we all have to go, oh whoa
Recognition that everyone will face their own mortality eventually
Sooner or later, there's a time to face the music
Time to confront the consequences and realities of life
Face the sound
Emphasizing the need to confront and accept the consequences
Sooner or later, we will have to go
Inevitability of facing the consequences, no escape
From the gods we all seek favor
Seeking favor from higher powers, possibly in desperation
With every sacrificial lamb
Sacrifices made in the hope of gaining favor, but at a cost
But the bodies all pile higher
Accumulation of negative consequences and guilt from actions
And the blood just stains our hands
The increasing toll of negative actions and their impact
And soon you'll feel the panic
Feeling of panic as the consequences become evident
In your breath and in your veins
Physical and emotional impact of realizing the severity of the situation
When you know there's no tomorrow
Acknowledgment that there is no time left to change the course
And you've realized too late
Realization of the consequences coming too late
And still we wait
Persistent waiting despite the awareness that time is running out
While our precious time is running out
The urgency of the situation, time slipping away
Sooner or later, comes a time
Reiteration of the impending consequences and accountability
When we will reap what we have sown
Emphasizing the inevitable outcomes of one's actions
Sooner or later, we all have to go, oh whoa
Acknowledging the universality of mortality and facing it
Sooner or later, there's a time to face the music
Time to confront and accept the harsh realities of life
Face the sound
Highlighting the need to face the consequences and their sound
Sooner or later, we will have to go
Inevitability of facing the consequences, with no escape
Our precious time is running out
Reiteration of the urgency, time running out
Are we just passing
Questioning the purpose of passing time, impatience
Just so sick of waiting
Frustration and weariness with waiting for an inevitable end
For this final destination
Anticipation and contemplation of the final destination, death
Where we all will end up
Recognition that everyone will eventually reach the same end
I would die to know, die to know that place
Expressing a strong desire for knowledge about the afterlife or final destination
Sooner or later, comes a time
Reiteration of the inevitable consequences of one's actions
When we will reap what we have sown
Emphasizing the unavoidable outcomes of life choices
Sooner or later, we all have to go, oh whoa
Acknowledging the universal reality of mortality
Sooner or later, comes a time
The point when there's nowhere left to escape from life's consequences
When we'll have nowhere left to run
Anticipating a time when there's no escape or refuge
Sooner or later, we will have to go home
Reiteration of the inevitability of returning to the ultimate destination, death
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