The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
What is life ?
When you die, you'll see a dawn of realize
When you fall you will rise
Your conscious is eternal
No need of the flesh
Feel the spirits around
Enter the unknown
Days have served you well
But now you've left your shell
You've killed the resistance (of the body)
Now you'll master your powers
There is an end of your life
But not of your soul
To your conscious enslaved
There is more than one way
Not only two paths
Why don't you choose your own way ?
We'll rise to be eternal
Rise up, raise your powers
The skies, endless eternal
Enter depths of darkness
When you die, you'll see a dawn of realize
When you fall you will rise
Your conscious is eternal
No need of the flesh
Feel the spirits around
Enter the unknown
Days have served you well
But now you've left your shell
You've killed the resistance (of the body)
Now you'll master your powers
There is an end of your life
But not of your soul
To your conscious enslaved
There is more than one way
Not only two paths
Why don't you choose your own way ?
We'll rise to be eternal
Rise up, raise your powers
The skies, endless eternal
Enter depths of darkness
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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.
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I like this song and therion! Their death metal sound in the beginning is unique and nice. It's just so odd how they really evolved and became (or started) symphonic metal later on. I think the song is talking about how after people die they're eternal, no longer chained to the physical body. Also, more than one way and not only two paths could be talking about monotheism/other religions and how there's one way to god and it's either heaven or hell. They're saying that you kind of are in control after death and rise above the world and beyond consciousness.