Born Again

One of the best songs ever made. When looking at Gillan's other lyrics I get confused, how could he write so much generic lyrics and still be able to write this masterpiece? maybe some uncredited help from mr. Butler? who knows, anyway here goes:

In the first verse he talks about his "room" which is most likely a symbol for his soul. The tapestries are faded and worn, he has been through much sorrow. Nothing is what it used to be in the room, something is greatly missed. Darkness controls his soul, and only the memory of forgotten passions can shine a light on what once was.

Continuing, we have the powerful metaphor, the "wall of power". This wall does not protect anyone from the room or the room itself, it only blocks out the light, and it is waiting. What is the wall waiting for? Perhaps it is waiting for the room to completely fade into darkness and give in to the superior power it faces, this is still kind of a blur to me but sounds quite logical. Again the return of these forgotten memories, the champions that once where are still a part of your mind, your soul. They still have the power to rise against the wall, to rise again for one final killing blow.

You will be born again, there is always hope. However, between the lines here lies a darker message. You do not know how when or where you will be born again, only that this is the case. Being born again might not mean you get another chance, it might as well mean that you shall rise from the ashes to serve Lucifer in his kingdom of eternal flame.

Here enters the satanic touch of the song. "Look at this prince of evil, fighting for your mind". The storyteller suggests that Lucifer is trying to liberate your mind from the infection caused by priests and religion. They shall aim at the hearts of all Gods who try to control you, be born again and you shall be free forever.

In the last verse you take a second look through my window. What you see now is your future as a free being, no longer enslaved by the religion that once chained you down. You can also see everyone else, still grey retards floating helplessly in circles, trapped forever in a cruel system of oppression. But together with the prince of evil you shall now rise, you shall challenge and kill.

Again the ending follows the same theme, follow me, be king for a day, I know what to do, you must join in my fight against the wall of power. We shall be born again.

At least this is in short what I think of when I hear the magical lyrics of Born Again, in my opinion one of the best songs in music history.

A reflection song. One of Iommi's greatest solo if the best. Ian Gillan is the singer of the whole album. Just look out for number one listen to the words and follow along. Most of Sabbath's songs always had a positive snuck in, but the music was so heavy the GEEK'S of the world just never hear it. I get it.

Ok! I'm gonna say it: I love this song! I think this is Sabbath's Child in Time, some later reincarnation or revival.Maybe they were experimenting a little(It wasn't too much time for it I guess) But I love the result: haunting and scary.That's what I hear!.

Black Sabbath's Child In Time eh?

well.. Ian Gillan ( Deep Purple's lead singer ) is the singer of this song, and the whole Born Again album :)

I'm using pandora.com, I told it I liked Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick, and it started playing this song for me, and what do you know, it's actually quite good.

In the words on Ian Gillan.... "It's hard to say what was going through my mind. Sometimes you're trying to express an intangible feeling. 'Grey and plastic retards' is probably a dig at some of the less inspired members of our profession, (that would be on the business side of things). There's always a need for rhyme, but reason is an altogether more elusive little devil. Overall it's a quite an introverted study about something rising inside. I get off balance sometimes and I was on the way to getting centred again. It was good being with Sabbath and maybe there's a hint of the future there. The DP reunion was only a year or so ahead."

He was in a relationship with a woman who became religious, finally breaking their relationship being unequally yoked. In the song, he’s both mocking her faith, or as he sees is, oppressors binding her mind through brainwashing, so have convinced her that he’s a sinner and not one to remain in a relationship with. He struggles with the pain of loss and is trying to remind her of what they had.
He redefines the term, “Born Again” as a kind of liberation of the mind. When he says. “Look at this prince of evil, fighting for your mind; fighting all priests of shame.”, he’s V referring to preachers that place guilt and shame over those who follow his words. He’s telling her to break away from the grips of such. “Of you want to be King for a day,…” is mockery of those that changed her and ultimately drew her away from him. The sadness and struggle of losing someone that clearly meant so much to him defines the tone and lyrics. Could be a true story. I tend to think songs like this are relating to real experiences.
The “grey snd plastic retards are floating in circles..” is what I believe to be a reference to his anger towards those who brought this upon his life, how his demons are present and visible. The great and plastic restards are apparently demons in his life.

Sad story to say the least.