On one level the lyrics are saying when you're dead, that's it. You are reduced to a physical body; your identity's gone. We're in denial about it though because "we swear we're not like this" - no one wants to accept this conclusion.
I think it could also be a commentary on the futility of martyrdom. When you are alive you can speak, you can explain yourself, and by this you can change things. When you are dead any words you could have said are dead as well. No can really speak them for you.
On one level the lyrics are saying when you're dead, that's it. You are reduced to a physical body; your identity's gone. We're in denial about it though because "we swear we're not like this" - no one wants to accept this conclusion.
I think it could also be a commentary on the futility of martyrdom. When you are alive you can speak, you can explain yourself, and by this you can change things. When you are dead any words you could have said are dead as well. No can really speak them for you.