Song Meaning
These lyrics open with a bold, almost hedonistic declaration of perpetual existence. The speaker, or perhaps a collective "we," envisions a world where "The sun will rise / Our golden prize," untouched by the passage of time. There's a clear, defiant rejection of mortality, explicitly stating, "No ash to ash, no dust to dust," as if to ward off the inevitable.
Yet, beneath this triumphant veneer, a subtle tension emerges. The insistence that "The changes of the years, won't touch us- no!" suggests a struggle, a forceful denial rather than a calm acceptance of eternity. This underlying conflict deepens as the lyrics shift from grand, sweeping statements to more unsettling, human-centric imagery.
The second verse introduces a jarring turn, moving from collective immortality to individual actions and their consequences: "I build, you burn, then one forgets." This sudden shift hints at conflict, destruction, and a troubling amnesia. The stark image of "The stain of death upon her eyes" directly contradicts the earlier claims of eternal life, forcing the reader to confront mortality head-on, even amidst the repeated chorus of "We are immortal."
Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because of this profound push-and-pull. The unwavering declarations of being "the flame that never dies!" become more potent, and perhaps more poignant, when juxtaposed with the undeniable realities of human fallibility, conflict, and death. It's a powerful exploration of the human desire to transcend, even when faced with the very things we desperately wish to escape.