Burn The Witch

Yeah, I made the connection with the Salem Witch Trials the first time I heard it. I dont think its a metaphor. Its pretty simple. If it has other meaning, its probably because everybody is analyzing it so much, you'll be able to pull some other meaning out of it.

"Holding Hands, skipping like a stone, On our way, To see what we have done," The girls are going to watch an accused person be hung/burned. They falsely accused people so they wouldnt be blamed for casting spells: "what We have done." "Witches" were burning because of them.

"Bite your tongue, Swear to keep your mouth shut," is don't tell anybody the truth about what happened.

"Fan the flames with a little lie Then turn your cheek until the fire dies," They fan the flames of fear and paranoia because they cant take the blame for themselves, so they have to lie and get other people burned.

"Make up something, Make up something good,": make up a story to get us off, which is what the girls did. They made up that witches made them do what they did.

I believe kinda everyones right. I think he is referencing the salem witch trials to explain how society hasnt really progressed just changed forms. Its still the same, the media makes lies and false accusations then the mob comes after. This was true back in the days of the witch trials and is still prevelent today, just in a different fashion.

This song is just another piece in QOTSA's semi - concept album. The entire album is set in a wood. This song does exactly what it says on the tin, its about the salem witch trials.

i was hoping no one had said it yet but milkwig beat me to it... i think this song is about the Salem witch trial that happen in 1768 i believe. (some time around then) after learning about them and listening to this song, i can pick out some lyrics from the song that relate to the Salem witch trials.

First, a little background history on the Salem witch trials. During the discover of America, puritans came for religious freedom from england, if you dont know, puritans did nothing for fun a worshiped god 24/7. they didnt have dancing and what not because they thought it might lead you to the devil and stuff... anyway. Rev. Parris was the towns minister and his stepdaughter, Abigael Williams, and the other girls of the town went out to go dance and play in the woods. they danced around a pot with hot watter and threw berry's and leaves and stuff in it like children do, but Rev. Parris thought of it as witch craft and the devils work. shortly after the girls started to say names of people in their town who "they saw" with the devil. the reason why one person stood up and said something about it because Abigail Williams threaten to kill them if they told that it was all a joke and a scam. She saw her parents murdered as a young child by Indians. So at a young age she grew up a very corrupted person. So the other girls just rolled with it and this lead to a court of people who were accused of "knowing the devil". if you confessed, you could live, if you didnt confess, you would be hanged. i know the song is called "Burn the witch" but when i look at the rest of the lyrics, it just says salem witch trials to me.. for exammple.

"Holding hands Skipping like a stone"

this is kinda like childs play and what not, holding hands and skiping stones is all they do. now when

"On our way To see what we have done"

On their way to see what they have done to the towns people by letting it happen and not standing up to Abigail

"The first to speak Is the first to lie"

The first person to speak (or accuses someone) was the first to lie because they were lying the whole time

"The children cross Their hearts and hope to die"

they would rather die then live to see them kill innocent people for no reason? im not to sure about this line.

"Bite your tongue Swear to keep your mouth shut"

Pretty much what Abigail told them.

"Ask yourself Will I burn in Hell?"

thinking if they will burn in hell for killing these people

"There they are The mob it cries for blood"

Mob of girls that cry for blood by killing the accused

"Fan the flames With a little lie"

The little lie they told has started this huge fire and they cant stop it now

"Then turn your cheek Until the fire dies"

until this comes to an end, just look the other way and let it happen

"Bite your tongue Swear to keep Keep your mouth shut Make up something Make up something good"

Pretty much just keep your mouth shut and lie until the trials come to an end.

So thats my take on this song, sorry if that was to long for you but thanks if you read it all. good song, good album, really good band!

Good song, and I'm sure there's some underlying metaphorical meaning, but I haven't figured it out yet. Any ideas?

Woow what an enthralling Song! The perfect Headbanger! I love the guitarrs, the stomping drums at the beginning and the suffering lyrics! I think it´s about people or ethnic groups who are living in majorities and steadily pick on the minorities, trying to harm them just because they are somehow scared. Just like it happened to the "whiches" in the Middle Ages. Maybe I´m overrating the songs intention but the lyrics are fun to listen to anyway! Keep on Rockin´Josh! This song is not prog!

the more i listen to this song the more it sounds liek its about the media. i think it is saying how to sell paers or magazines etc. they just make up shit and lie. "To twist the tale Into firewood Fan the flames With a little lie"

but the celebrity cant respond cos it just make it worse so they have to Then "turn your cheek Until the fire dies" the truth will proably never be known.

the "What it was I will never say..." bit makes it sound personal. so maybe that brody dalle thing or perhaps something to do with nick??

I'm pretty sure it's just about tabloids and gossip in general. It's a witch hunt against you when you're a celebrity, with everyone trying to get dirt on you and point fingers.

this whole cd is loosely based on the brothers grim stories thats what i think it is about

The video to this song is amazing! And it does depict scenes from the time of the salem witch trials...but with a twist. The woman they accuse of being a witch, is in actual fact a witch who raises skeletons from the dead and runs amok, seeking revenge ON all those who wanted to burn her. Brilliant!