The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Tell me are you free
Tell me are you free
In word or thought or deed
Tell me are you free
While the gallows stand
And bullets lance the bravest lungs
We fold our hands and hold our tongues
Tell me are you free
When the fear falls on you
Tell me are you free
When the fear falls on you
Tell me are you free
Tell me are you free
In word or thought or deed
Tell me are you free
While the gallows stand
And bullets lance the bravest lungs
Will I fold my hands or hold my tongue
Or let the flames lick at my feet
Or breathe in fire and know I'm free
Flames will rise and devour me
Oh, to breathe in fire and know I'm free
Know I'm free
Tell me are you free
In word or thought or deed
Tell me are you free
While the gallows stand
And bullets lance the bravest lungs
We fold our hands and hold our tongues
Tell me are you free
When the fear falls on you
Tell me are you free
When the fear falls on you
Tell me are you free
Tell me are you free
In word or thought or deed
Tell me are you free
While the gallows stand
And bullets lance the bravest lungs
Will I fold my hands or hold my tongue
Or let the flames lick at my feet
Or breathe in fire and know I'm free
Flames will rise and devour me
Oh, to breathe in fire and know I'm free
Know I'm free
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if you look at the song and consider the fact that Dustin is Christian then you will realize that he is talking about the persecution of Christians in the last days when we will be shot and hung and burned as the stake for our faith in Christ and how some will simply deny Christ by "holding their tongues" and how we may be physically free from death but are we really free if fear of death causes us to deny our beliefs. and in the end he says "ill breath in fire and know im free" free from the life lived on earth and set free to live with christ...
to me this song speaks about the persecution of christians. i may be (and probably am) wrong but the holy spirit is symbolized by fire. could a firebreather be one who spreads the message of god? just some food for thought. i love the chorus at the end.. great song allaround... GO TRICE!!! woot haha
No, your right alright. It says right in Biblical scripture he is symbolized by fire. For example, Moses was visited by god in the bible, and God spoke to him through a burning bush. I could go on but i got homework to do.......
I believe this song is talking about standing up for what you believe in and then being ridiculed for your thoughts because you spoke up. Dustin is saying that when the time comes to stand up for yourself or your beliefs will you stand strong in what you believe and take the ridicule from others.
"oh to breath in fire and know I'm free" - Taking heat(ridicule) from others but being able to be free and express yourself
"Bullets lance the bravest lungs" - those who are brave/courageous enough to stand up for what they believe in get ridiculed, cast out, made fun of...etc.
WHAT POWERFUL LYRICS
Hi there, I've put this song up, v/ incomplete lyrics but it's a start.
Song is at, youtube.com/watch
Please well free to try and work out more lyrics,
Spinn
PS Firebreather might not even be the right title
it's confirmed now, firebreather is the title, and it's the first track off the Fire disc. CANT WAIT FOR THIS ALBUM!
WARNING!!! Site contains 2 new songs and for those of you who do not wish to hear it till the album releases, I suggest you do not click the link.
spinner.com/2007/09/17/new-music-thrice-fire-breather-and-digital-sea/
Firebreather is there along with digital sea. So awesome... I wanted to wait for the album to release, but with the link sitting there in my e-mail i just couldn't wait any longer. Pure awesome.
Meh, guess it's posted up on their myspace too. Only 29 more days!!!
As much as I didn't want to, I've been listening to the two new songs all day.
Freaking wonderful and the intro is wonderfully heavy.
Hey, I'm updating as I listen but I'm not great with lyrics. Any help?
Here's what I have so far. Some little pieces might be wrong, but eh.
Tell me are you free? Tell me are you free? What __ Tell me are you free?
__ the bravest lungs Throw our hands up Hold our tongues
Tell me are you free When the fear falls on you? Tell me are you free When the fear falls on you?
Tell me are you free? Tell me are you free?
Tell me are you free?
_____ the bravest lungs When I throw my hands up Hold my tongue And let the flames lick at my feet And breathe in fire And know I'm free
Flames will rise and devour me To breathe in fire and know I'm free
Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh (Know I'm free)
Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh