Omerta

No, it really isn't about that the mafia code, in anything other than the name.

The speach at the start is just a cool intro. It really has little meaning other than the idea that if you are going to fuck with someone, you had better kill them, cause anything less, will just make them angry and they will come back at you, twice as hard.

The lyrics are obviously about Judas Iscariot, and the way his name has become synonamous(sp), with betrayal.

Every line is an obvious referance to the story of Judas.

"you've been talking, I've been all ears" is about how dispite all that he had seen and heard, he still chose greed over Jesus' love.

"Words meant to dwell in darkness shall never see the light of day", is kind of the same as the previous quote, it just makes the point, that Jesus's words ultimatly counted for nothing to Judas.

"Execute the mandate", I believe is in referance, to the speach Jesus gave, about how 'it would be better for the one who betrayes me, if he had never been born', and this is Judas saying, fair enough, if thats the way it has to be, then so be it...

"I am the result, what's better left unspoken" talks about how despite all the good that came from Jesus' words, there was still the 'bad apple' in the bunch, but we prefer to forget about him.

(my personal, favorite line in the song): "Mouth full of dirt, your name removed from the registry, St. Peter greets with empty eyes then turns and locks the gates" - Judas was buried in an unmarked grave (hense the 'mouth full of dirt' and the other line "six feet under with no marker") and because he killed himself, he was eternally damned.

There is nothing in this song, other than the title and possibly the line "six feet under with no marker", to suggest that this song is actually about the code of silence.

I agree that this song is about snitching. Yes it has biblical references, and yes it has modern day mafia references. Some of you people are too closed minded to consider the fact that two ideas can be in one song. Dumbasses...

PS: If you get arrested dont say anything, freedom of speech also means you don't have to speak. A slip of the tongue a slit of the throat.

I think this is one of the most dark song ever. The line "St. Peter greets with empty eyes then turns and locks the gates" sends a chill down my spine.

It's obviously about Judas Iscariot.

The reason for the name is explained in the line; "Keep my name from your mouth forever", like the term 'Judas' has become a type of curse word. Omerta is the code of silence about criminal acts.

Yep It's Judas. This what has been wrought for 30 pieces of silver The tongues of men and angels bought by a beloved betrayer Gives it away

excuse my ignorance but what is the beginning speech all about?

Wrong! The speech in the beginning explains it all. The song does refer to Judas, but its actually about the consequences of breaking the Mafia code of silence, Omerta.

The beginning is a butchered up excerpt from "The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia."

I think this song is about the code of silence. It uses religious examples though. It really could go both ways.

my fav log tune!!! powerful lyrics and message. but yes could go both ways.

I can see why some people relate it to Judas though the last stanza: "Cheaply venal, stupidly verbose A slip of the tongue, a slit of the throat Six feet under with no marker Keep my name from your mouth forever Free speech for the living, dead men tell no tales Your laughing finger will never point again"

Doesn'r fit in though can relate to Omerta the Mafia code of silence as can the rest of the song.

This is all interesting but any idea why Lamb of God would be singing about a story from the bible. Whats the theme?