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The Atom Lyrics
the glory of the atom
begs a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
the smallest unit of matter
let us bow our heads
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there
the smallest unit of matter
with its orbiting electrons
echoing off the solar system
like a hawk in the hills at dawn
the smallest unit of matter
uniting bird and rock and tree
and you and me
oh holy is the atom
the truly intelligent design
to which all of evolution
is graciously aligned
the one single structure
to which everything distills
the air, the wood smoke there, and the hills
you leave me here surrounded
by everything that's real
far outside the boundaries
of the digitized ordeal
leave me here awake
leave me here to heal
human beings are a cross
between monkeys and ants
you can see us from your spaceship
melting the polar ice caps with our arrogance
summon a congress of angels
dressed in riot gear
we've got a serious problem down here
i have a great great uncle
who worked on the atomic bomb
he got a nobel prize in physics
and a place in this song
and i bet there were no windows
and no women in the room
when they applied themselves to the pure
science of doom
messin' with the atom
is the highest form of blasphemy
whether you making weapons
or simple electricity
someone fashion me a pulpit
i have been called to engage
with the maniacal heretics
of the nuclear age
let the religious get religion
let the consumers get a clue
let the scientists get perspective
let the activists get their due
let industry get a conscience
let the earth inherit the meek
let the divinity of nature speak
oh the glory of the atom
deserves a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
lets us sing its praises
let us bow our heads in prayer
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there
begs a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
the smallest unit of matter
let us bow our heads
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there
with its orbiting electrons
echoing off the solar system
like a hawk in the hills at dawn
the smallest unit of matter
uniting bird and rock and tree
and you and me
the truly intelligent design
to which all of evolution
is graciously aligned
the one single structure
to which everything distills
the air, the wood smoke there, and the hills
by everything that's real
far outside the boundaries
of the digitized ordeal
leave me here awake
leave me here to heal
between monkeys and ants
you can see us from your spaceship
melting the polar ice caps with our arrogance
summon a congress of angels
dressed in riot gear
we've got a serious problem down here
who worked on the atomic bomb
he got a nobel prize in physics
and a place in this song
and i bet there were no windows
and no women in the room
when they applied themselves to the pure
science of doom
is the highest form of blasphemy
whether you making weapons
or simple electricity
someone fashion me a pulpit
i have been called to engage
with the maniacal heretics
of the nuclear age
let the consumers get a clue
let the scientists get perspective
let the activists get their due
let industry get a conscience
let the earth inherit the meek
let the divinity of nature speak
deserves a reverent word
the primary design
of the whole universe
lets us sing its praises
let us bow our heads in prayer
at the magnificent consciousness
incarnate there
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Allright guys, I obviously tried to make these as accurate as possible. The "---" I really couldn't figure out. English isn't even my first language actually.
The song is pretty damn phenomenal isn't it. I think it's about existence in general and how something as tiny as the atom connects everything. I think it's about being grateful for life as it owes us nothing. We should bow to our heads in prayer for the atom.
And the crescendo after "serious situation down here" is very Rufus Wainwright and very beautiful.
I'm pretty sure the line is "summon a congress of angels dressed in riot gear."
I'm pretty sure the line is "summon a congress of angels dressed in riot gear."
I saw this live on the red letter year tour and...just...wow...her voice absolutely peaked on this song that night and that experience will never leave me.
I saw this live on the red letter year tour and...just...wow...her voice absolutely peaked on this song that night and that experience will never leave me.
This quote says it well too:
"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."
Albert Einstein
I believe the it's "pure science of boom", not "pure sides". And I agree, this song is truly beautiful. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Ani perform this song live, and I almost burst into tears, it was so achingly wonderful.
hate to break it to you guys but the atom is not the smallest unit of matter...