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The Arsonist Lyrics
There is truth beneath the floorboards;
there is hope in brick and stone.
But they tell me just to shut my mouth;
leave well enough alone.
But I think maybe all that's needed,
is a match and gasoline;
because I don't think that any one of them believes that there will be a reckoning.
But I will see this city burn.
There are still good shepherds scattered,
but they're far between and few.
And the sheep's skin that the wolves all wear is so thin I see right through.
And I think maybe all that's need is some gas and open flame,
because I don't think that any one of them believes that fire can erase their names.
But I will see this city burn.
I said I will see this city burn.
We will burn it down and build it again,
what was buried in flame.
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain.
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days.
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE.
There is truth beneath the floorboards;
there is hope in brick and stone.
But they tell me just to shut my mouth;
leave well enough alone.
But I think that maybe all that's needed is some flint and hardened steel;
because I don't think that any one of them believes that the revolution's real.
We will burn it down and build it again,
what was buried in flame.
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain.
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days.
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE.
It will burn.
there is hope in brick and stone.
But they tell me just to shut my mouth;
leave well enough alone.
But I think maybe all that's needed,
is a match and gasoline;
because I don't think that any one of them believes that there will be a reckoning.
but they're far between and few.
And the sheep's skin that the wolves all wear is so thin I see right through.
And I think maybe all that's need is some gas and open flame,
because I don't think that any one of them believes that fire can erase their names.
I said I will see this city burn.
what was buried in flame.
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain.
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE.
there is hope in brick and stone.
But they tell me just to shut my mouth;
leave well enough alone.
But I think that maybe all that's needed is some flint and hardened steel;
because I don't think that any one of them believes that the revolution's real.
what was buried in flame.
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain.
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE.
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I have a feeling this is about Isaiah 9... The city of Samaria(and Assyria) was threatened to be burned down, and the people said they were going to rebuild with "better" bricks... their arrogance thinking they could build better and it would undo God's judgment.
The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 9 All the people will know– Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria– Who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 10 “ The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.” 11 Therefore the LORD shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.
Does it fit... let me know what you guys think? God Bless
@droptozro Absolutely awesome! Never read this before.
@droptozro Absolutely awesome! Never read this before.
@joeyvirrueta
@joeyvirrueta
I was actually incorrect Joey, but thanks. I spoke with Dustin after one of his concerts many years ago and he told me this song comes from an idea out of a book by G.K. Chesterton called "Orthodoxy." I personally disagree with some of the book, but it comes from a mention of a guy who loves a city so much he'd burn it down to keep it from evil.
I was actually incorrect Joey, but thanks. I spoke with Dustin after one of his concerts many years ago and he told me this song comes from an idea out of a book by G.K. Chesterton called "Orthodoxy." I personally disagree with some of the book, but it comes from a mention of a guy who loves a city so much he'd burn it down to keep it from evil.
watch this city burn...
I think it's pretty clear that this song's talking a lot about hell and judgment day, and people's lack of belief in them.
"There is truth beneath the floorboards; there is hope in brick and stone."
Those two lines are totally Poe references. The floorboards one being from telltale heart and the brick and stone reference I think is from the Black Cat.
Yes, almost six years ago, but I took that second line to be from The Cask of Amontillado. You might be right, though.
Yes, almost six years ago, but I took that second line to be from The Cask of Amontillado. You might be right, though.
i think its about refinement not so much the reckoning. the telltale heart reference is cool. specially cause it has the "ticking" drums when dustin sings that line. just reminds me of the ticking/beating underneath the floor boards
I hate to be the guy bringing too much Bible into this but its almost impossible not to get a sense that Dustin might be a little influenced by the images of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the Old Testament God Sodom will be destroyed by "brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven" because there are too many evil men living in it. In Genesis 18, God informs Abraham that he plans to destroy the city of Sodom because of its gross immorality. Abraham pleads with God not to destroy Sodom, and God agrees that he would not destroy the city if there were 50 righteous people in it, then 45, then 30, then 20, or even ten righteous people. The Lord's two angels only found one righteous person living in Sodom, Abraham's nephew Lot. Consequently, God destroyed the city.
Trendy don't be worried about bringing biblical references, it's obvious Dustin pulls from biblical references in songs so there's no need to worry. It's when you start calling Thrice a christian band (which they aren't and have said themselves they aren't) and saying the lyrics only are for christians, then you better watch out... people get pissed.
thrice is definatly a Christian band..look at their lyrics.
besides Dustin is planning on becoming a pastor after thrice is over, and they go to Harbor Rock Church like every sunday
Umm... I've looked at their lyrics many many times, and as I previous stated i'm fully aware Dustin pulls from biblical references, and I think that's cool. But not all their songs have religious ties.
I could go on all day on why Thrice isn't a christian band and links to interviews with the band about how they aren't a christian band, but I feel this topic has been beaten to hard so I will only quote one interview (from Riley):
"We're definitely not a Christian band. We've never been into being preachy, never been into spreading any kind of word. It just came from [lead singer Dustin Kensrue] singing about issues that he was having--a lot of those were faith-based. Some people are turned off by that. Then there are a lot of people who are like, not even from a Christian standpoint, [and they say,] 'Dustin's lyrics have helped me start exploring why I'm here, what I'm doing here, justifying my existence and stuff.' I think that's a good thing. I'm not a Christian, and I'm not exactly sure what I believe in. But I do believe in looking for answers and being open to a lot of different things."
Basically, there is no denying that there are many religious beliefs in Dustin's lyrics, but it's his inclusion of the religious content plus things from philosophy, history, life etc. that make Dustin my favorite song writer, he's truly amazing in his ability. But it's that they are not preaching jesus/god and his thoughts on other topics that make Thrice not a christian band, but Dustin speaking out with christian beliefs and fellow band members who are christian and do not aim to preach christianity through their music (I think Riley is the only non-christian, but I may be mistaken).
Now that i've said what i've wanted to get out there i'm done with the topic and am sorry to have brought out the debate everyone knows and hates. (i've gone for years seeing these debates, but never posting my thoughts on the matter so it's kind of just built up and eventually I had to do it... sorry it had to be in the comments of my favorite song on the new album...). But before I go i just want to clear some things up before people get pissed off: i'm a christian, I respect Dustins biblical references, I respect Thrice as a band (they've been my favorite since First Impressions) and I respct the beliefs on this topic from both the christian and non-believer point of view; everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Does this song remind anyone of the book Fahrenheit 451? theres a lot in it that makes me think of the book, maybe its just coincidence
all in all, great song
I believe this song is about the United States and MAINLY what a true patriot would do for their country.
This persona who's singing is saying how they're so willing to burn their home (to purge the land from it's "sheep-skin wearing wolves") that they'll even cause destruction.
I believe Thrice thinks that people of not only the U.S but the rest of the world are not satisfied of where they are heading. These people need something new to happen; a revolution.