So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Feel the sweat break on my brow
Is it me or is it shadows that are
Dancing on the walls
Is this a dream or is it now?
Is this a vision or normality I see before my eyes
I wonder why, I wonder how
That it seems the powers getting stronger every day
I feel a strength an inner fire
But I'm scared I won't be able to control it anymore
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
Just by looking through your eyes
He could see the future penetrating right
In through your mind
See the truth and see your lies
But for all his power couldn't foresee his own demise
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
I fell reborn again
Is it me or is it shadows that are
Dancing on the walls
Is this a dream or is it now?
Is this a vision or normality I see before my eyes
I wonder why, I wonder how
That it seems the powers getting stronger every day
I feel a strength an inner fire
But I'm scared I won't be able to control it anymore
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
Just by looking through your eyes
He could see the future penetrating right
In through your mind
See the truth and see your lies
But for all his power couldn't foresee his own demise
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
There's a time to live and a time to die
When it's time to meet the maker
There's a time to live but isn't it strange
That as soon as you're born you're dying
I fell reborn again
Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by chopinator22
The Clairvoyant Lyrics as written by Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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Im surprised no one wants to comment on this song, well ill be the first then, this is my favorite song. not many people know about this one but its an awsome song the rifts are amazing. Hallow be thy name and the trooper are very much close but this song has always been my favorite! keep on rockin fellow maiden fans!
It a sequel to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Which the son supposed to have powers to forsee the future and stuff. But all his power and he cannot see his own end
This is a pretty damn good song. All about dying, and how strange life is, I think.
the album is sort of a concept album charting the story of the clairvoyant and this song is one of the best on the album
I have read somewhere, i can't remember where sorry, but the meaning to this song is, it's about an actual supposed 'clairvoyent', at the time they were making this album a supposed 'clairvoyent' died and people were questioning him being a clairvoyent and such," how could he not see his death and avoid it?" and questions like that were raised and iron maiden (WOOOO!!!!) wrote this song about that, 'But for all his power couldn't foresee his own demise' is bottom-lining it really, This song IS, about that, but everyone's interpritations about the song are brilliant anyway, without the knowledge of that this was based on a real life occasion you wouldn't have guessed, but most of the interpritations aren't exact but they are actually right, this is the actual meaning and NOT an interpritation.
song is about premenitions of the future and foresight. the definition of the word 'claivoyant', is one who can see the future. the who album is about prophecy and shit like that, hence songs like 'the prophecy', 'infinite dreams', 'moonchild', ect. maybe insanity too...
This song really reminds me of the movie 'The Dead Zone'-from the standpoint of the leading character John Smith who becomes clairevoyant after awakening from 7 years in a coma but ultimately does not forsee his own death.
this is about a guy pondering life and reality. this one is more focused on ones power over life, its beginning, its end... so he consults a clairvoyant for answers. still not satisfied, i get the impression that the guy is curious about killing the clairvoyant
another subtle reference to the possibility of reincarnation. i love maiden, they are such an intelligent band, but their music still holds its own in intensity
This song while very unclear to me seems to dwell on the life and death of people. The powers mentioned seem to be similar to how people (especially teenagers) think they are invincible and will not die. Of course some come to realize that they are going to die, however some others never do.
Humorously the line " But for all his power couldn't foresee his own demise" reminds me of a part of Star Wars: Episode 3 where Palpatine tells Anakin of the Sith Lord Darth Plagus the Wise who had the power to keep others alive but in the end could not save himself from death and died by the hands of his apprentice. Otherwise good song and sounds nice.
my favorite song on the album, love how it starts