Nothing to Say

well, StephenY, you nailed it ! xD

Have not analysed it thoroughly, but it seems to me that there are many religious references. Faith, design, greatest story ever told etc.

I actually agree with you Tyrock. Many of the lines seem to question religion (Christianity, mostly as far as I can tell.) "We seem so lost and jaded Well what a price to pay It can't be overstated, and you seem infatuated with finding who's to blame." Quite often, religions use scapegoats and hide behind others. For instance, "It is God's will."

"While it can seem so hard now, I got a feeling we ain't meant to live this way." Seems to be saying that we should not believe in any religion. (It just isn't right?)

"Don't tell me it's too late, cause I feel it too, we all love to hate and let others lead the way." Sort of explanatory. The crusades, atheists V. theists, etc.

"And still we march further away, Singing our songs of yesterday. While so much still stands in our way, Voices with nothing to say." Getting farther from the truth, singing hymns and such, ignoring what is in front of us. "Voices with nothing to say" could refer to the whole sheep in a flock thing, no individuality and all of that.

"Some feel that life's a favor, While some don't have the time. Worship and kiss the altar, All hail the mighty father, but love will keep you blind." Different theist's feelings, but they all listen to God and ignore the truth.

"Same questions we keep asking, Won't hear the answers cause we're scared of what we'll find" Questions that we refuse to listen to the answers; how the universe started, death in general, the hardships of the world.

"We try and compensate through our troubled faith that should keep us safe and keep searching for a sign." Blindingly obvious.

"The greatest story ever told, Is only what you make it. There will be struggle and fear, All by design" The Bible and God/religion in general. It only has as much merit as you give it.

A lot of religious references, and it seems to be saying that religion is holding us back. I personally don't agree, but the song is amazing nonetheless.

personally, i think its a war protest song

"while it can seem so hard now, i got a feeling we aint meant to live this way" "...we all love to hate and let others lead the way" "same questions we keep asking, won't hear the answers cause we're scared of what we'll find"

basically, the world is a terrible place to live because of the reality of war and how quickly it can escalate. but no-one really wants to do anything about trying to resolve the conflict, and any glimpses of resolving conflict is quickly dismissed and the fighting continues.

I agree with some of what you said StephenY. This song is about religious people and themes, and this is what I thought the first time I heard the song. Clearly the song is questioning religious people, although I find the criticisms quite simplistic. I really like the album, and this song is great, but some of the lyrics are pretty cliche and narrow-minded. For example, when M. Shadows sings:

"All hail the mighty father, but love will keep you blind."

and

"Same questions we keep asking, Won't hear the answers cause we're scared of what we'll find"

For me, these lyrics (and some others) just don't do justice to the complex and divisive discussion that is the debate about religion, God, evolution, etc. And I realize that it's a rock song on a Slash album, so maybe I'm asking too much, but the lyrics are nothing special. They aren't NEARLY as good as the music for this song IMO.

Also, M. Shadows is singing both from the perspective of the theist and atheist throughout the song. Sometimes he sings "I" and "We", and sometimes "You." And while this could be due to poor lyric-writing, it may also mean that the song isn't a simple anti-religion rant.

Perhaps he's not only criticizing religion, but also pointing out how human nature, and the flaws of imperfect people screw up the real message that any given religion is SUPPOSED to listen to and live out. He's no Bible-thumper, but he may just be saying WAKE UP to all of the people who call themselves religious, but don't fully think about their beliefs. When he sings the chorus (which actually has better lyrics IMO):

"And still we march further away, Singing our songs of yesterday. While so much still stands in our way, Voices with nothing to say."

... I take it as a criticism of the religious people, or more specifically, ORGANIZED religious. The religious messages aren't being attacked, just hypocritical people who have forgotten who they sing songs for, and what those songs are about. There are times when religious people should be condemning the actions of others: War, racism, and corruption for example (and notice that I said actions. I'm not talking about condemning or judging the people themselves). And then there are the issues that organized religious people would rather discuss: Gay marriage, evolution, and the building of mosques.

My interpretation of the chorus:

Getting further from the real message; singing some old songs of bygone eras; while important/urgent issues need to be addressed; these people have nothing important or constructive to add to the debate