I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Well it's late in the hour
And a few more grains of sand will fall
On the colorful flowers
Have grown upon the dust and moss
Now I fear the worst is near
I hold them close and count their years
And pray a ray of light appears
To shine down on us here
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come
There's a crack in the clouds
But only for a moment now
Like an eye looking out, in blue skies
Finds the roads we will go down
I wonder what they hold for us
I hold my family to my breast
I fear the worst and hope the best
Will come to see us blessed
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come
Given one more try, wonder what I'd change?
I won't deny the thought is strange
I've done my best and I will lay no blame myself
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come [Repeat: x3]
And a few more grains of sand will fall
On the colorful flowers
Have grown upon the dust and moss
Now I fear the worst is near
I hold them close and count their years
And pray a ray of light appears
To shine down on us here
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come
There's a crack in the clouds
But only for a moment now
Like an eye looking out, in blue skies
Finds the roads we will go down
I wonder what they hold for us
I hold my family to my breast
I fear the worst and hope the best
Will come to see us blessed
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come
Given one more try, wonder what I'd change?
I won't deny the thought is strange
I've done my best and I will lay no blame myself
Break down in the shape of things to come
But I'm moving on like a soldier
And I say now when all is said and done
It's not ours to break
The shape of things to come [Repeat: x3]
Lyrics submitted by ColdenScence
Shape of Things to Come Lyrics as written by Chris Cornell Timothy Commerford
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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i thought the song was about a failing relationship i.e. late in the hour and a few more grains of sand references that things are coming to an end, but there is still some time.
He still wants to fix things and that is what the crack in the clouds bit means.
the flowers are his memories of when times were good
he looks to his family for support
in the end he has tried and it aint his fault that things no longer work i.e. "i lay no blame myself". he's saying that he isnt gonna blame her himself but it's obvious tht it's her fault.
in the end he finds it's his responsibility to move on "like a soldier" into the future or "the shape of things to come"