The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Morning desert sun horizon rise above the
Sands of time
Mystic journey to Arcana travel starry
Spheres in trine
Sands of the dunes dust of the bones
Swallow the trace of creatures left behind
Gods of the fire fall from the sky reaped
All the fruit and plagued earth dry
Distant vision tempting water fall to me
Knees I'm going to drink it dry. Blazing
Desert sun reflection on the water
He caught my eye
Up in a tree preying on me vulture of
Fear why don't you let me be
He said you're mine one day
Spit out the sand of the mirage
Be on your way
Exodus ascend the plane
Exile this medium of bondage far beyond
The prophecy of tyrant guardians
Traject the esoteric sisters they are mythical
Exodus ascend the plane
Exuke this medium of bondage far beyond the
Myriads of crypt and pyramids beyond the
Harpy vultures guarding their tombs
Arcana awaits you
Oh guardian predestination calls
Silent wind I felt what you said
Soon I'm exhumed for consumation
He charmed my soul with his book of the
Dead
He read it said beat no children
He will inhere the malignant fear in man
Sovreign the force more than emotion
It controls your destiny at hand
False guardian I will compel false as the
Fear of heaven and hell
I should have known its all a mirage just
As well
The power of good will not be shown by
Conquering fear
Let it be known its a constant resist
While facing transformation
Sands of time
Mystic journey to Arcana travel starry
Spheres in trine
Sands of the dunes dust of the bones
Swallow the trace of creatures left behind
Gods of the fire fall from the sky reaped
All the fruit and plagued earth dry
Distant vision tempting water fall to me
Knees I'm going to drink it dry. Blazing
Desert sun reflection on the water
He caught my eye
Up in a tree preying on me vulture of
Fear why don't you let me be
He said you're mine one day
Spit out the sand of the mirage
Be on your way
Exodus ascend the plane
Exile this medium of bondage far beyond
The prophecy of tyrant guardians
Traject the esoteric sisters they are mythical
Exodus ascend the plane
Exuke this medium of bondage far beyond the
Myriads of crypt and pyramids beyond the
Harpy vultures guarding their tombs
Arcana awaits you
Oh guardian predestination calls
Silent wind I felt what you said
Soon I'm exhumed for consumation
He charmed my soul with his book of the
Dead
He read it said beat no children
He will inhere the malignant fear in man
Sovreign the force more than emotion
It controls your destiny at hand
False guardian I will compel false as the
Fear of heaven and hell
I should have known its all a mirage just
As well
The power of good will not be shown by
Conquering fear
Let it be known its a constant resist
While facing transformation
Lyrics submitted by headbang666
Exodus Lyrics as written by John Arch Jim Matheos
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Some of my favorite lyrics of all time. Definitely a metaphor for a personal quest for enlightenment and freedom, with the desert imagery fitting to describe the world as dry, desolate, and full of mirages (also possibly to reference the biblical exodus into the desert, but I may be just grasping at straws with that).
The song comes off almost as gnostic:
"False guardian I will compel False as the fear of Heaven and Hell I should have known its all a mirage just as well"
suggesting that traditional views of the divine are only roadblocks to "Arcana." The ultimate goal is to exile the medium of bondage, which, presumably is how we're all living now. There are lots of themes and gems hidden throughout here (and that's not even touching on the music itself!) including disappointment, disgust with the spiritual state of the world, and lack of control in one's own destiny.
The "esoteric sisters" are likely the Fates of Greek mythology, which the band references in its name and several times lyrically in their first three albums.
This song is a masterpiece that captured metal's obsession with the mythical and hunger for freedom...the cold, twisting guitars and Arch's ghastly vocals make for an intense and atmospheric experience.
@Exodus832 <br /> This is a wonderful analysis of a wonderful song.<br /> In 2016 I met John Arch & told him how profoundly iis lyrics affected me.<br /> 1 of my life's goals has been achieved.