Be Not Always

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with the persistent nature of suffering and the disillusionment that follows broken promises. The opening plea, "Be not always," immediately sets a tone of desperate hope against an overwhelming reality. The repetition of "Always" and the conditional "And if always" underscores a cyclical despair, where the only recourse is shame or blame, suggesting a deep-seated regret or guilt associated with this unending state of affairs. The core tension lies in the contrast between aspirational ideals and grim outcomes. The line "time has made promises / Just promises" serves as a bitter refrain, highlighting how the passage of time, often associated with progress and fulfillment, has instead delivered only unmet expectations. This is amplified by the stark imagery of "Mothers cry, babies die / Helplessly in arms," juxtaposed with the abstract concept of "rockets fly and research lies / In progress to become," revealing a profound disconnect between human suffering and societal advancement. The writing powerfully employs direct address and rhetorical questions to confront the listener. "Did you see their faces?" and "Have you felt such pain?" force an uncomfortable introspection, challenging any passive observation of hardship. The lyrics then pivot to a critique of human inaction and hypocrisy: "We turn our backs on life / How can we claim to stand for peace / When the race is armed in strife / Destroying life?" This indictment of collective responsibility, framed by the recurring plea against an unyielding "always," creates a potent sense of moral urgency. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw emotional honesty and unflinching examination of a world where suffering seems perpetual. The simple, insistent repetition of "Always" becomes a heavy burden, while the stark pronouncement that "time has made promises / Death promises" offers a chilling conclusion. The writing doesn't offer easy answers but instead forces a reckoning with the persistent pain and the complicity that allows it to continue.