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.
The convoy lights are dead ahead
The merchantmen lay in their bed
The thump of diesels hammer down
In the oily sea, the killing ground
Knuckles white, eyes alight
He slams the hatch on the deadly night
A cunning fox in the chicken's lair
A hound of hell and the Devil don't care
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies waiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
Chill the hearts of fighting men
In open ocean wondering when
The lethal silver fish will fly
This boat will shiver, men will die
A cast of millions, a part to play
Killer, victim, fool for the day
Obeying an order, men had to die
Us or them, a well rehearsed lie
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies waiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
The lifeboats shattered, the hull is torn
The tar black smell of burning oil
On the way down to Davy Jones
Every man for himself, you're on your own
The wolf eyes watch the cross wire
'Stern tubes ready', aim and fire
They can pin some medal on your chest
Ah, in two more weeks, dead like the rest
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies awaiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
The merchantmen lay in their bed
The thump of diesels hammer down
In the oily sea, the killing ground
Knuckles white, eyes alight
He slams the hatch on the deadly night
A cunning fox in the chicken's lair
A hound of hell and the Devil don't care
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies waiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
Chill the hearts of fighting men
In open ocean wondering when
The lethal silver fish will fly
This boat will shiver, men will die
A cast of millions, a part to play
Killer, victim, fool for the day
Obeying an order, men had to die
Us or them, a well rehearsed lie
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies waiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
The lifeboats shattered, the hull is torn
The tar black smell of burning oil
On the way down to Davy Jones
Every man for himself, you're on your own
The wolf eyes watch the cross wire
'Stern tubes ready', aim and fire
They can pin some medal on your chest
Ah, in two more weeks, dead like the rest
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
A silent death lies awaiting for all of you below
Running silent, running deep
Sink into your final sleep
Running silent, running deep
We are your final prayer
Warriors in secret sleep
A merchantman's nightmare
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German U boat warfare in WWII. The Germans almost defeated the Allies early in the war with their sub force. They nearly destroyed enough shipments of arms and food from the West to England to stop the war and force the British to surrender altogether. "Run silent, run deep" was a command given to sub crews when in enemy territory. Running deep and with the minimal amount of noise meant a less noticeable sonar blip on any enemy ships nearby.