I couldn't agree more with what jengirl105 wrote. I would only add to that something that sticks out in it for me - and I have to point out a mistake in what's written above first because the real words are part of my point. The transcription above (at the time of my comment here) reads:
…I'm happier being alive
Now I know the trust is your own most sacred lesson I've ever learned
...
I believe the text is wrong on a word or two and also missing quite a few words and, like other sites have it written - it should be:
…I'm happier being alive
Now I know the means to my oppression were all lies…
The only truth is your own most sacred lesson I've ever learned
...
the next line is "I know we are free"
and so put that all together and to me he's describing an epiphany about the control we have on our destiny. I think that's what he means by free - we are not tied down by destiny unless we don't go meet up with at a place of our own choosing.
So - that's what has always stuck out in my mind when listening to it, but I probably never knew all the words but reading it now I see other thoughts through-out. Some seem a little disjointed or maybe I'm just missing a bigger picture. Like "I pray to see another day" and "I don't mind doing the time, I'm happier being alive" lines both seem very Taoist to me - in a good way. I guess maybe I could see the big picture - now typing about it. The ending is just pure energy - the metal version of a very good motivational speech. And that's what makes me see a connect back to the ~Taoism and so a big picture - just a good bit of positive philosophy. I've always thought metal was therapeutic - almost purely based in catharsis, haha - think about it (or wiki it and then think about it)
To me, this is one of the best songs ever. The music is incredible, the guitar parts are so fine, powerful, visceral, inspired, sweet - that's too many adjectives but it's true.
I couldn't agree more with what jengirl105 wrote. I would only add to that something that sticks out in it for me - and I have to point out a mistake in what's written above first because the real words are part of my point. The transcription above (at the time of my comment here) reads:
…I'm happier being alive Now I know the trust is your own most sacred lesson I've ever learned ...
I believe the text is wrong on a word or two and also missing quite a few words and, like other sites have it written - it should be:
…I'm happier being alive Now I know the means to my oppression were all lies… The only truth is your own most sacred lesson I've ever learned ...
the next line is "I know we are free" and so put that all together and to me he's describing an epiphany about the control we have on our destiny. I think that's what he means by free - we are not tied down by destiny unless we don't go meet up with at a place of our own choosing.
So - that's what has always stuck out in my mind when listening to it, but I probably never knew all the words but reading it now I see other thoughts through-out. Some seem a little disjointed or maybe I'm just missing a bigger picture. Like "I pray to see another day" and "I don't mind doing the time, I'm happier being alive" lines both seem very Taoist to me - in a good way. I guess maybe I could see the big picture - now typing about it. The ending is just pure energy - the metal version of a very good motivational speech. And that's what makes me see a connect back to the ~Taoism and so a big picture - just a good bit of positive philosophy. I've always thought metal was therapeutic - almost purely based in catharsis, haha - think about it (or wiki it and then think about it)
To me, this is one of the best songs ever. The music is incredible, the guitar parts are so fine, powerful, visceral, inspired, sweet - that's too many adjectives but it's true.