I can see this two ways. Firstly is directly following Oppenheimer's quotation in the last song, it could be in reference to the atomic bomb, specifically those dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. "Blood of innocents burning in the skies," "swimming in the smoke" all being views a crewmember of the bombers could have had.
Possibly more likely/fitting is an environmental view, whereupon the blood of innocents burning in the skies, swimming in the smoke, rising of the sea, literally coming from the destruction of forests and burning of fossil fuels (though still being poetic, mind you.)
Also, "I'm losing what I don't deserve" could be in reference to how humans don't deserve our environment with the way we've treated it, and as such it's disappearing. And "But in the end we were meant to be apart" could be in reference to how humans have almost always tried their best to distance themselves from nature, or at least the idea that the two cannot coexist.
With either, it's quite the sad song, much more emotional than any love song.
Speaking of which, @ellzZzZ, I'm doubting that there's any intentional love imagery/lyrics in this song, or even album. In A Thousand Suns, they went for a view of the world as it is. Not to mention that Linkin Park hasn't had that much love imagery in any of their previous songs either, and when there is any it's very rough and extreme, not the kind of "aw I love you" that comes with most other music.
@BlueVision I like your interpretation but I think you are reading the lyrics too literally (and taking many liberties). To me it reads of a very personal story, as it uses many standard metaphors to illustrate a personal struggle and someone who has broken a relationship (could be a lover, or a loved one, or a friend).
@BlueVision I like your interpretation but I think you are reading the lyrics too literally (and taking many liberties). To me it reads of a very personal story, as it uses many standard metaphors to illustrate a personal struggle and someone who has broken a relationship (could be a lover, or a loved one, or a friend).
The lines in the chorus pretty much are the main theme of the song, and they tie very strongly to a personal relationship in which they have damaged (burned their bridge) and are now losing that person and deserve it.
The lines in the chorus pretty much are the main theme of the song, and they tie very strongly to a personal relationship in which they have damaged (burned their bridge) and are now losing that person and deserve it.
I can see this two ways. Firstly is directly following Oppenheimer's quotation in the last song, it could be in reference to the atomic bomb, specifically those dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. "Blood of innocents burning in the skies," "swimming in the smoke" all being views a crewmember of the bombers could have had.
Possibly more likely/fitting is an environmental view, whereupon the blood of innocents burning in the skies, swimming in the smoke, rising of the sea, literally coming from the destruction of forests and burning of fossil fuels (though still being poetic, mind you.) Also, "I'm losing what I don't deserve" could be in reference to how humans don't deserve our environment with the way we've treated it, and as such it's disappearing. And "But in the end we were meant to be apart" could be in reference to how humans have almost always tried their best to distance themselves from nature, or at least the idea that the two cannot coexist.
With either, it's quite the sad song, much more emotional than any love song.
Speaking of which, @ellzZzZ, I'm doubting that there's any intentional love imagery/lyrics in this song, or even album. In A Thousand Suns, they went for a view of the world as it is. Not to mention that Linkin Park hasn't had that much love imagery in any of their previous songs either, and when there is any it's very rough and extreme, not the kind of "aw I love you" that comes with most other music.
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
Except for the messenger...which is actually on A Thousand Suns. ; )
@BlueVision I like your interpretation but I think you are reading the lyrics too literally (and taking many liberties). To me it reads of a very personal story, as it uses many standard metaphors to illustrate a personal struggle and someone who has broken a relationship (could be a lover, or a loved one, or a friend).
@BlueVision I like your interpretation but I think you are reading the lyrics too literally (and taking many liberties). To me it reads of a very personal story, as it uses many standard metaphors to illustrate a personal struggle and someone who has broken a relationship (could be a lover, or a loved one, or a friend).
The lines in the chorus pretty much are the main theme of the song, and they tie very strongly to a personal relationship in which they have damaged (burned their bridge) and are now losing that person and deserve it.
The lines in the chorus pretty much are the main theme of the song, and they tie very strongly to a personal relationship in which they have damaged (burned their bridge) and are now losing that person and deserve it.