Burning Man Lyrics

Lyric discussion by pentsawse 

Cover art for Burning Man lyrics by Mastodon

Startlingly short but undeniably effective.

coals under foot burst into flames become the earth ashes remain

The coals underfoot (the fire that drives ones actions) consumes the individual reducing it to ash. (meaning an intense drive can consume ones mind and body). Ashes are whats left after being consumed, the essence of a man returning to the earth.

awaiting sand--hourglass, waiting for sand to fall to the bottom(passing of time) a burning man--the man being consumed by his passion or drive

approach the door where i place blame--the place he blames for his fall

take the first step-begining an endeavor cleansing my shame--shame indicates hatred for the place he blames

Burning man is a man consumed by hatred for the place he percieves to have shamed him or reduced him to nothing. He takes his first step into the place he hates and means to do something there.

and heres the important bit......

I would make the jump to conclude that the burning man is broken, reduced to ash by his hatred and returns to the place that shamed him to destroy it along with himself--to return both himself and his offender to the earth.