The Seventh Seal
Chess with Death: A Knight's Quest for Meaning
Lyrics
Anybody seen a knight pass this way
Questioning the presence of a knight in the vicinity.
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
Witnessing a chess game between the knight and Death, symbolizing a struggle between life and death.
His crusade was a search for God and they say
The knight's mission or journey was a quest for God.
It's been a along way to carry on
Expressing the arduous and prolonged nature of the knight's journey.
Anybody hear of plague in this town
Asking about the existence of a plague in the town.
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
Describing the destruction of the town the speaker has left.
A young girl on a stake her face framed in flames cried
Depicting a gruesome scene of a girl on a stake, claiming innocence against charges of witchcraft.
I'm not a witch God knows my name
The girl's plea of innocence, asserting that she is not a witch.
The knight he watched with fear
The knight observes the scene with apprehension and fear.
He needed to know
The knight's quest for understanding and knowledge.
He ran where he might feel God's breath
The knight seeks a divine connection by running to where he might feel God's presence.
And in the misty church
Set in a misty church, the knight kneels to confess his sins.
He knelt to confess
The knight confesses within the church, expecting absolution.
The face within the booth was Mr. Death
Surprising revelation that Death is the confessor in the booth.
My life's a vain pursuit of meaningless smiles
Expression of a life filled with meaningless pursuits.
Why can't God touch me with a sign
The knight's yearning for a divine sign from God.
Perhaps there's no one there answered the booth
The confessional booth suggests the absence of a divine response.
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
Death's sinister satisfaction is concealed within his cloak.
This morning I played chess with Death said the knight
Recounting a chess game with Death in the morning, seeking time as a reward.
We played that he might grant me time
The knight plans strategic moves in the chess game to win time.
My bishop and my knight will shatter his flanks
Describing the knight's hopeful strategy against Death.
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
Expressing the desire to feel God's presence even in the face of death.
And through confession's grille Death's laughter was heard
Death's laughter heard through the confessional grille, indicating a sinister twist.
The knight cried No you've cheated me!
The knight accuses Death of cheating but resolves to find another way.
But still I'll find a way
The knight remains determined despite feeling cheated.
We'll meet once again and once again
Expressing the inevitability of encountering Death again and continuing the struggle.
Continue to play
Commitment to an eternal game with Death.
They met within the woods the knight his squire and friends
The meeting between the knight, his squire, and friends in the woods.
And Death said now the game shall end
Death announces the end of the game.
The final move was made
Describing the final move in the game.
The knight hung his head
The knight accepts defeat and acknowledges having nothing left.
And said you've won I've nothing left to play
The knight resigns, recognizing his loss.
The minstrel filled with visions sang to his love
The minstrel sings of visions, contemplating the stormy sky.
To look against the stormy sky
The knight, squire, and friends hold hands, facing adversity together.
The knight his squire and friends
A collective unity in the face of challenges.
Their hands held as one
A solemn dance towards the dawn, symbolizing a journey into the unknown.
Solemnly danced toward the dawn
Symbolic imagery of Death leading them onward.
His hourglass in his hand his scythe by his side
Depiction of Death as the master, holding an hourglass and a scythe.
The master Death he leads them on
Death guides them onward, and the group embraces their fate.
The rain will wash away the tears from their faces
The cleansing effect of rain on their tears as they depart.
And as the thunder cracked they were gone
The departure amid thunder, emphasizing the inevitability of their journey's end.
Comment