"Zombie" is about the ethno-political conflict in Ireland. This is obvious if you know anything of the singer (Dolores O'Riordan)'s Irish heritage and understood the "1916" Easter Rising reference.
"Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence caused such silence
Who are we mistaken
-
Another mother's breaking
Heart is taking over"
Laments the Warrington bomb attacks in which two children were fatally injured on March 23rd, 1993. Twelve year old Tim Parry was taken off life support with permission from his mother after five days in the hospital, virtually braindead.
"But you see it's not me
It's not my family"
References how people who are not directly involved with the violence feel about it. They are "zombies" without sympathy who refuse to take action while others suffer.
What is this that stands before me?
Figure in black which points at me
Turn 'round quick and start to run
Find out I'm the chosen one
Oh, no
Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh no, no, please God, help me
Is it the end, my friend?
Satan's coming 'round the bend
People running 'cause they're scared
The people better go and beware
No, no, please, no
Figure in black which points at me
Turn 'round quick and start to run
Find out I'm the chosen one
Oh, no
Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh no, no, please God, help me
Is it the end, my friend?
Satan's coming 'round the bend
People running 'cause they're scared
The people better go and beware
No, no, please, no
Lyrics submitted by carlos_avdas, edited by oldfashionedaf, LHGL
Black Sabbath Lyrics as written by John Osbourne Anthony Iommi
Lyrics © Onward Music Limited
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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They also sing about God and Jesus as well in some songs.
They are Christians, so they know Christ's message fairly well. Satan just happens to be a big part of that.
Black Sabbath is not evil, and nor is this song. This song is attempting to scare the piss out of you, but it's not evil. The thing is, you have to stand firm, and fear not these things like the people in the song. Every time I listen to it, it's like a test, like I must control myself and now bow down to the fear.