My interpretation is that Geezer Butler wanted to explain how ridiculous the whole "system" is so to speak. Imo this is by far the best lyrics on the Never Say Die! album, a great album btw.
First you grow up, you are receptive to all the lies that society will soon throw at you. They teach you religion but never explain enough why, they expect you to just take in all the information and never question their superiority. In other words, they expect you to "hand over your childhood to them".
But you know there is something more to it all than what they told you, so you keep searching for your own mind, lost somewhere along the lies inside you. You cannot find it, since your mind is already too corrupted and twisted. There is only one option, to hand over your future to them. Just close your eyes and let them lead you along whatever path they chose.
"Working for freedom, fighting your wars..." etc refers to following the politicians and "the systems" path. And when the judgement day comes, when it all turns out to be lies, You shall hand over all their promises and lies, back to them. You shall prove that you never believed in it all, you just had no chance, you are not to blame for the destruction you have been part of, because they gave you no option.
In the end, you are no wiser when you die than when you were born, so what can you tell your children other than "I know what I did was wrong, but there wasn't no option for me, there won't be for you either". Hand over your children to them as well, maybe one day they will be given the opportunity to choose, but meanwhile they must obey the system.
My interpretation is that Geezer Butler wanted to explain how ridiculous the whole "system" is so to speak. Imo this is by far the best lyrics on the Never Say Die! album, a great album btw.
First you grow up, you are receptive to all the lies that society will soon throw at you. They teach you religion but never explain enough why, they expect you to just take in all the information and never question their superiority. In other words, they expect you to "hand over your childhood to them".
But you know there is something more to it all than what they told you, so you keep searching for your own mind, lost somewhere along the lies inside you. You cannot find it, since your mind is already too corrupted and twisted. There is only one option, to hand over your future to them. Just close your eyes and let them lead you along whatever path they chose.
"Working for freedom, fighting your wars..." etc refers to following the politicians and "the systems" path. And when the judgement day comes, when it all turns out to be lies, You shall hand over all their promises and lies, back to them. You shall prove that you never believed in it all, you just had no chance, you are not to blame for the destruction you have been part of, because they gave you no option.
In the end, you are no wiser when you die than when you were born, so what can you tell your children other than "I know what I did was wrong, but there wasn't no option for me, there won't be for you either". Hand over your children to them as well, maybe one day they will be given the opportunity to choose, but meanwhile they must obey the system.
That description is awesome bro, kudos!
That description is awesome bro, kudos!
This album got beat up by the critics, but say it's fantastic. This song should have gotten tons of airplay, one of my favorites.
This album got beat up by the critics, but say it's fantastic. This song should have gotten tons of airplay, one of my favorites.