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.
Reverend, reverend
Is this some conspiracy?
Crucified for no sins
An image beneath me
Lost within our plans for life
It all seems so unreal
I'm a man cut in half in this world
Left in my misery
Reverend, he turned to me
Without a tear in his eyes
Nothing new for him to see
I didn't ask him why
I will remember
The love our souls had sworn to make
Now I watch the falling rain
All my mind can see now is your
Well, I guess you took my youth
And gave it all away
Like the birth of a new-found joy
This love would end in rage
And when she died I couldn't cry
The pride was in my soul
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories now unfold
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
Sometimes when I'm alone I wonder aloud
If you're watching over me
Some place far abound
I must reverse my life
I can't live in the past
Then set my soul free
Belong to me at last
Through all those complex years
I thought I was alone
I didn't care to look around
And make this world my own
And when she died I should've cried
And spared myself some pain
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories still remain
The way we were
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
The way we were
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
Gates
Gates
Is this some conspiracy?
Crucified for no sins
An image beneath me
Lost within our plans for life
It all seems so unreal
I'm a man cut in half in this world
Left in my misery
Reverend, he turned to me
Without a tear in his eyes
Nothing new for him to see
I didn't ask him why
I will remember
The love our souls had sworn to make
Now I watch the falling rain
All my mind can see now is your
Well, I guess you took my youth
And gave it all away
Like the birth of a new-found joy
This love would end in rage
And when she died I couldn't cry
The pride was in my soul
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories now unfold
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
Sometimes when I'm alone I wonder aloud
If you're watching over me
Some place far abound
I must reverse my life
I can't live in the past
Then set my soul free
Belong to me at last
Through all those complex years
I thought I was alone
I didn't care to look around
And make this world my own
And when she died I should've cried
And spared myself some pain
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories still remain
The way we were
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
The way we were
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain
Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates
Gates
Gates
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I have always loved this song. But today it stopped me like a brick wall. I had married the woman I have been with since she was 15 and I was 16. I gave her almost my entire youth. She is the most impressive, strong beautiful woman in the world. I am now almost 35 and I screwed up! Now being two weeks from having the woman of my dreams divorce me,(Wich I am really at fault for mostly), it took on a whole new meaning. I believe every song is meant to be what you percieve it to be.It doesnt matter weather its supposed to be about death or divorce. Loss is painful period. I still remain in question if I can cope. The most important part about this song is in the title. Every day to many times to count I go in the cemetary. I hope someday I can PASS the cemetary gates and instead unlock MY door (finding yourself). And with no doubt in my mind this is what writer meant. Peace
@sadowskys yeah
Just to set some things right, the song was actually about 2 of Phil’s friends, one committed suicide, and then the other copied him. These were two friends very close to Phil, and they were males. The song however, was written as if it was more of a relationship kind of thing, so it could be applied to other people better. But I don’t know why people think that some girl died, that’s not a true story, I have no idea where they got that from.
I found this information on an interview with Phil on YouTube, and I’m 100% that’s the truth. Go find it if you don’t believe me, as if your a true Pantera fan you would have already known this, not think some bullshit like "yeah man its true his girlfriend died", as you need to do some research!
@olliewild Maybe because the lyrics say "she"
@olliewild *you\'re
@olliewild You might be thinking about the song "Hollow".
to me, this can apply to an ending of a relationship for other reasons than death. he was stubborn and would not forgive her, which he now regrets. he thinks about her, wonders if she is thinking of him. ("i wonder aloud, if you're watching over me") saying he will unlock his "door" is saying that he will admit his true feelings. "passing the Cemetery Gates" is saying he will come to terms with what happened, and go on with his life.
but that's just what it meant to me.
It's definetly one of the greatest songs ever in my opinion.
totally agree
aGree, it's AWESOME
My all time favorite song.....the solo Dime rips in this mf'er is sick, then the lyrics......pure awesomeness...,...
Actually... this song's about suicided. Everything points to it, it's so obvious. Firstly, the author is extremely upset with the untimely death of his love. It implies/actually says that she's dead many times: "An image beneath me", "when she died I couldn't cry", "I wonder aloud If you're watching over me", and the shear fact that there's a reverend there who doesn't cry because "it's nothing new for him to see" practically screams that someone is actually... literally... undenyably dead! Secondly, the man is overburdened with grief... he never even let himself cry when she died, which he regrets and considers a part of the healing process: "I couldn't cry The pride within my soul You left me incomplete" He also thinks about her a lot: "Sometimes when I'm alone I wonder aloud If you're watching over me" and "Memories now unfold"... Thirdly, since I proved above that someone close to him literally died and that he is sincerely upset that she died, I think that I can say he took his own life to end it all. He says, "I will unlock my door And pass the Cemetery Gates"... He will "unlock" HIS "door"... in other words, he's going to end his life to be with her... re-read the song with this is mind, every word makes perfect sense with this theory. Thanks.
The obvious take is that his girlfriend died, and he doubts faith.
i think that this song is about a man who is reflecting on the pain that hes gone through since his girlfriend died at her funeral
Actually makes me think of my old girlfriend :( Miss you Kelly
This means alot to me too paperdoll. I love this song and it means even more to me than any other song. This song to is talking about a person who went through a break up after being together for soo long. The guy is too full of pride that he shows that its ok she gone but later realizes what he really felt for her. But after being seperated for soo long he finally learns to let go and pass the cemetery gates.
This song is one of Pantera's best; not only are the lyrics completely emotion-grabbing, but the instrumental work is fucking crazy! I Love Pantera!
LoL, metalhead13, a person can't die at their funeral. If it is their funeral then they are already dead :P
Crow Graves where did you find out that his girlfriend killed himself?? This song is obviously about the death of his girlfriend - why else would he use so many death refrences? It would be too dramatic if it was just a breakup.