1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Witches of Salem Lyrics
[Verse 1]
In a sleepy quiet town, down Massachusetts Way
The silence sudden broken by the chanting of the bay
Circling 'round a woman accused of witchcraft
Taken down before the judge to hear the damning draft
[Pre-Chorus]
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
[Chorus]
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
[Verse 2]
Accusations made, filled with rage and malice
Betraying friends and neighbors before the holy chalice
Standing trial before the mob, hysteria rules the day
Preaching fire and brimstone, there's nothing you can say
[Pre-Chorus]
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
[Chorus]
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
[Post-Chorus]
Hungry for the kill
Onto Gallows Hill
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Woe betide the woman who doesn't seem to fit
All it took was just a word to take them to the pit
If you plead your innocence you were taken to the trial
It didn't matter what you say, they won't believe denial
[Pre-Chorus]
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
[Chorus]
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill (Onto Gallows Hill)
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
Witches of Salem burning at the stake (Burning at the stake)
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill (Hungry for the kill)
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
In a sleepy quiet town, down Massachusetts Way
The silence sudden broken by the chanting of the bay
Circling 'round a woman accused of witchcraft
Taken down before the judge to hear the damning draft
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
Accusations made, filled with rage and malice
Betraying friends and neighbors before the holy chalice
Standing trial before the mob, hysteria rules the day
Preaching fire and brimstone, there's nothing you can say
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
Hungry for the kill
Onto Gallows Hill
Woe betide the woman who doesn't seem to fit
All it took was just a word to take them to the pit
If you plead your innocence you were taken to the trial
It didn't matter what you say, they won't believe denial
See the flames of bigotry leaping ever higher
Someone has to pay the price to feed the righteous fire
Witches of Salem burning at the stake
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill (Onto Gallows Hill)
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill
Witches of Salem burning at the stake (Burning at the stake)
Witches of Salem, victims of the hate
Witches of Salem, they're hungry for the kill (Hungry for the kill)
Witches of Salem, onto Gallows Hill
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Discussing the devastating consequences of mass hysteria, intolerance, and scapegoating through the historical context of the Salem witch trials, this track serves as a commentary on how societal pressures can lead to communal violence and the unjust punishment of innocent people. It references how fear, suspicion, and bigotry led to people turning on friends when the thoughts of who they could be filled their minds. It wasn't just done for those reasons, as many times they'd turn friends in an act of a personal vendetta. Escalating hatred consumes not only the accused but also the moral fabric of society, creating a cycle of blame and punishment; This illustrates how fear can distort truth and lead to inhumane acts of violence.
Ultimately, while not only recounting a tragic historical event, the song also serves as a warning about the consequences of allowing fear and hatred to dictate justice, a theme that resonates across different eras as societies grapple with their own prejudices and moral failures. As times change, fears and bigotry never fade and are factors that we must shut down whenever they rear their heads, or else they'll continue to grow and fester a society of fear or hate-fueled acts of justice and punishment.