I see them all lined up,
Like naked children at the wall.
Their skin is hanging off in sheets.
Each face is painted like a whore.
Their blood is shining in the sun.
Their wounds are powdered with white salt.
Their lips are shaping silent words:
I see my name as it spills out.
I see them walking on their knees,
Led in a chain by laughing girls.
I see them sucking on the dirt,
As if inhaling the whole world.
And one by one their throats are cut,
And each one sings his choking song.
And each one sings his lullaby,
And each one falls and then he's gone.
And I feel good,
Yeah, I feel fine.
And I feel good:
I've been waiting far too long...
I see their bodies in the pyre,
Leaking black smoke into the flames.
And all the people stand around,
Shaping lips into my name.
And soon the sun begins to sink,
Behind a wall of dirty air.
I see their bones there in the pile,
And taste the smell of burning hair.
And all the children howl for mile.
The rain spits down a million knives.
I see you running through the field.
I see you running for your useless life.
I feel you choking on your tongue,
I feel the breath attack your chest.
The dogs are ripping at your feet.
I see you bleeding out your happiness.
And I feel good,
Yeah, I feel fine.
And I feel good:
I finally got back what was always,
Rightfully mine.



Lyrics submitted by jt

All Lined Up Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © YOUNG GOD PUBLISHING

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All Lined Up song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I always thought of this as a monologue of God. A sadistic God, that is. He looks at people suffering, living their worthless lives and then dying in pain, and takes perverse pleasure in seeing them suffer. These people spell his name – it could mean they are praying to him. Such a view of God occurs in people who face extreme pain and suffering and, as a natural reaction, they blame God and question his existence “How could he allow something like this to happen?” And yes, there are also references to concentration camps.

    slow pulse boyon July 31, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Taking from Gira's own discussion of the song, "I See Them All Lined Up" is a "bloody tale of revenge". Not real or actually desired, however. Reminds me of some sort tale of of serial killer or Nazi sadism.

    Cynothoglyson February 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    And btw, I much prefer the version called “I See Them All Lined Up” which is on Gira’s solo album Drainland. It’s a flashback of the rhythmical industrial minimalism of Swans circa 1985.

    slow pulse boyon July 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    I'm personally a fan of the acoustic solo version Gira performed on I Am Singing To You From My Room. Subtle, and extremely gratifying.

    Cynothoglyson June 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Swans Are Dead (Live 95 - 97) is my preferred version. It's ferocious.

    Faaip De Oiadon October 04, 2010   Link

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