Severance,
The birds of leaving call to us,
Yet here we stand
Endowed with the fear of flight.

Overland
The winds of change consume the land,
While we remain
In the shadow of summers now past.

When all the leaves
Have fallen and turned to dust,
Will we remain
Entrenched within our ways.

Indifference,
The plague that moves throughout this land
Omen signs
In the shapes of things to come.
Tomorrow's child is the only child.


Lyrics submitted by Norwegian Will

Severance Lyrics as written by Lisa Germaine Gerrard Brendan Michael Perry

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Severance song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    sigh... First of all, it is not better. They have been singing this song (they meaning DcD) for over 15 years. The DcD version, the original so to speak, is done from the soul. Brenden has actually had tears in his eyes when singing this.

    Lastley, go talk about Bauhaus on their thread, not DcD's. Thank you :)

    floridasmbon April 11, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Does anyone know what the whispered part means?

    "Tomorrow's child is the only child"

    wglmbon April 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Bauhaus's version > this one

    FaaipDeOaidon June 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just heard Bauhaus play this live last night. Is there anyway to get a recording of it?

    razieldumason July 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Bauhaus' version is killer. Very atmospheric. And what a voice!

    FaaipDeOaidon July 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I prefer the Dead Can Dance version. Nothing against Bauhaus though.

    MrLongroveon August 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    The first verse seems to be a metaphor for the fear or risk keeping people from the pursuit of opportunity.

    The second verse is about a lack of determination; a failure to look toward the future, instead dwelling on the past, and not adapting to a changing cultural landscape.

    The third verse seems to give a negative connotation to holding on to pointless traditions, rote thinking, or outdated idealism.

    The final verse states that indifference is the attitude that causes these situations. "Tomorrow's child is the only child" might mean that it's our legacy that gives meaning to our efforts in life. What we do with our lives, our culture, and our society in our lifetime will affect the world that our next generation lives in. It is the children, the next generation, that gives a purpose to our efforts, and it's for their sake that we shouldn't fear change, shouldn't dwell on the past, and should instead look with optimism towards a future and seize the opportunity to better ourselves.

    FerrousFauceton September 10, 2016   Link
  • -5
    Lyric Correction

    Severance. A really very boring song. That goes on, And on, and on, and on.

    Indifference Is how I feel About this song. That goes on, And on, and on, and on.

    And on and on, And on and on and on and on. And on and on, And on and on and on...

    Ashley Yon November 16, 2010   Link

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