I think the gist of this song is a cry against the wars and destruction that humans wreak upon planet earth, and to each other. Tuomas probably sees it as hell on earth, hence the title. First verse looks at children or people fighting each other, supposedly for the sake of others in strife, but this is a hope that is unreachable. There always seems to be lies and propaganda surrounding war, as though it's something that can be won by one or the other side. The truth is that destructive wars only end in losses. I think that's the reference here. That, or the there is some sort of denial about children being involved in war.
The second verse points towards the effects of wars, "All the blood red carpets before me, behold this fair creation of God!" The innocent people do not have a choice. They are forced into the destruction. They have to fight (causing more blood), run away from home, or die. That is the dark path. No crossroads to choose from. The last line is bitter sarcasm, to me. "behold this 'fair' creation of God," this fair creation, killing each other.
The third verse doesn't seem to say much other than the singer wants nothing more than to leave hell and destruction on earth. Emotionally, I think it says a lot. Frustrations can escalate to the point of simply wanting to leave everything behind.
"The first rock thrown again" is something admittedly I had to look up. It's a biblical allusion. It seems to be a statement made by Christ as if to say NO ONE should throw a rock at a sinner, because everyone is a sinner. So, in the song, the first rock being thrown again implies that Tuomas is commenting on the hypocrisy of humans destroying each other based on sins. We're all sinners, and perhaps a further implication could be made that judgment is reserved for God or the gods. Not humans. Sinners should not stone sinners. "Welcome to hell, little saint" and "welcome to paradise, soldier!" are interesting. The second line there is sarcastic, the first is revealing.
The fifth verse has more to reveal. The singer seems endlessly tormented about the fact that life on earth is nothing but fearing for your life or the life of another. That rings of war. "You fool, you wanderer, you challenged the gods and lost" has me thinking about the relationship to the last verses, "save yourself a penny for the ferryman" because if you don't leave a coin for Charon, you'll likely end up as a wanderer. The gods probably did not wish for all this destruction that mankind seems to have an affinity for creating, so by destroying fellow humans and challenging the gods, man has sealed his fate as a foolish wanderer. He does not have his place in the underworld (not to be associated with "hell," by the way). The only problem with this is that, as I recall, the Greek gods are not particularly peaceful themselves. They may have been hypocrites though, being more human-like than the monotheistic gods, and wanting man to "do as I say, not as I do." Not sure on that.
"This world ain't ready for the Ark" followed, "save yourself and let them suffer" so it makes sense that mankind would not be prepared for a flood, he is too selfish to care for others, whether it be during earthly wars or reserving a place for himself in the afterlife.
I think the gist of this song is a cry against the wars and destruction that humans wreak upon planet earth, and to each other. Tuomas probably sees it as hell on earth, hence the title. First verse looks at children or people fighting each other, supposedly for the sake of others in strife, but this is a hope that is unreachable. There always seems to be lies and propaganda surrounding war, as though it's something that can be won by one or the other side. The truth is that destructive wars only end in losses. I think that's the reference here. That, or the there is some sort of denial about children being involved in war.
The second verse points towards the effects of wars, "All the blood red carpets before me, behold this fair creation of God!" The innocent people do not have a choice. They are forced into the destruction. They have to fight (causing more blood), run away from home, or die. That is the dark path. No crossroads to choose from. The last line is bitter sarcasm, to me. "behold this 'fair' creation of God," this fair creation, killing each other.
The third verse doesn't seem to say much other than the singer wants nothing more than to leave hell and destruction on earth. Emotionally, I think it says a lot. Frustrations can escalate to the point of simply wanting to leave everything behind.
"The first rock thrown again" is something admittedly I had to look up. It's a biblical allusion. It seems to be a statement made by Christ as if to say NO ONE should throw a rock at a sinner, because everyone is a sinner. So, in the song, the first rock being thrown again implies that Tuomas is commenting on the hypocrisy of humans destroying each other based on sins. We're all sinners, and perhaps a further implication could be made that judgment is reserved for God or the gods. Not humans. Sinners should not stone sinners. "Welcome to hell, little saint" and "welcome to paradise, soldier!" are interesting. The second line there is sarcastic, the first is revealing.
The fifth verse has more to reveal. The singer seems endlessly tormented about the fact that life on earth is nothing but fearing for your life or the life of another. That rings of war. "You fool, you wanderer, you challenged the gods and lost" has me thinking about the relationship to the last verses, "save yourself a penny for the ferryman" because if you don't leave a coin for Charon, you'll likely end up as a wanderer. The gods probably did not wish for all this destruction that mankind seems to have an affinity for creating, so by destroying fellow humans and challenging the gods, man has sealed his fate as a foolish wanderer. He does not have his place in the underworld (not to be associated with "hell," by the way). The only problem with this is that, as I recall, the Greek gods are not particularly peaceful themselves. They may have been hypocrites though, being more human-like than the monotheistic gods, and wanting man to "do as I say, not as I do." Not sure on that.
"This world ain't ready for the Ark" followed, "save yourself and let them suffer" so it makes sense that mankind would not be prepared for a flood, he is too selfish to care for others, whether it be during earthly wars or reserving a place for himself in the afterlife.