In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Blood of bat, tail of newt
Wing of metal, gold or steel
Fight of health, flash of pain
Staff of life, or poison rain
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Fast food, fast cars
Fast women, movie stars
Time of trouble, time of trial
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Anxious lovers, bums in the street
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Purple mountains, waves of grain
Grace of God, thy will be done
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Wing of metal, gold or steel
Fight of health, flash of pain
Staff of life, or poison rain
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Fast food, fast cars
Fast women, movie stars
Time of trouble, time of trial
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Anxious lovers, bums in the street
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Purple mountains, waves of grain
Grace of God, thy will be done
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
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The song "Divine Wind", originally entitled "Ayatollah", was written by BOC as sort of an "Anti-Iran" song. During the time the song came out, Iran had been holding U.S. citizens hostage for many months.
The lyric, "If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send him to hell" refers to the Ayatollah Khomeni calling the U.S. "The Great Satan". When BOC performed this song in concert, roadie Joe Lauro, wearing an Ayatollah mask, played guitar on stage with the band.
This song was written in 1980 as a reaction to the Iran Hostage Crisis.
Ask yourself, how much sense does it actually make to say events that took place after the song was written make the song mean something different?
They also have a video. blueoystercult.com/Video/DWvideos.html
In Japanese the world Kamikaze means "god wind" but the common translation is "divine wind" It originally referred to a typhoon that dispersed invading Mongolian forces but was later used to name the WWII suicide bombers. So the song may have something to do with that, I'm not sure.
Fiquroa is right .It was about the Ayatollah.I saw them in concert on the tour of that album and he made a referece(Eric Bloom the singer that is)To that
One of the heaviest they've written. The way that solo comes in - very nice. Their initial manager wanted them to be an American Black Sabbath, and on this track they definitely achieved that.
great song,love it,great album.
Pretty sure you got the lyrics wrong on this one, at least in the first verse it should be: Blood of Bat, Tail of Newt Wing of Metal, Bone of Steel Vile of Health, Flask of Pain Staff of Life, or Poison Rain
This is a disturbing song if you read between the lines. Sounds to me like a cry for battle against terrorists, like it could be a theme-song for the Bush regime. I have faith in the intelligence of BOC but these lyrics comes off as war-mongering. Luckily it's also full of obscure, pagan imagery to through you off a little.
I saw a 911 video set to this song and it was a frightening combinition, put the song in a new light.