Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of initial optimism and a perceived "new era" that quickly sours into disillusionment. A brave declaration is made, opening eyes and swallowing pride, suggesting a pivotal moment of change. However, this hope is met with a stark question: "So where is the new advise?" The narrator observes that old ways are failing, and the "oldest of thoughts" are being forced into a modern context, creating a jarring dissonance.
This disillusionment crystallizes around a central tension between the desire for peace and the reality of escalating conflict. The lyrics describe a "vindictive" and "instinctive" nature that, despite a universal desire for peace, fuels an "indread of war" leading to increasing armament. This cyclical pattern suggests a grim inevitability, where "savage nature" ultimately leads to self-destruction, a perpetual loop of "all is lived again."
The craft here hinges on potent contrasts and a sense of weary observation. The juxtaposition of "bravely" spoken words with the eventual "worthless progress" highlights the gap between intention and outcome. The repeated phrase "All is written / All is forgiven / All is lived again" creates a feeling of fatalism, a cyclical narrative where history repeats itself without true resolution. The final image of a "concerned animal" cornered, with "human nature alive," powerfully encapsulates this trapped, instinct-driven existence.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their stark portrayal of a recurring human dilemma. The writing doesn't offer easy answers but instead forces a confrontation with the persistent, often destructive, patterns of behavior. The sense of anticlimax and the bleak, cyclical conclusion leave the listener with a profound unease about progress and inherent nature.
View Artist