Solemn roads and the paths least chose Walking miles when the ground is frozen Selling souls that aren't yours to give Some must go and other may live

Pale horse - apocalypse Stale breath - from liar's lips Many many lives Turned upside down

Bloods clean - you know it is Downstream - it's mine, not his

Red water churns Watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made Is more dirt on the grave That you've been digging Not for yourself but for us Fuck you

Congratulations on your efforts dead ends Between us, let's not pretend half-ass, jackass, liar

You threw us all in the fire Under a hale of gunfire Some will live and others expire You turned it all upside down

Bloods clean - you know it's downstream - it's mine, not his Red water churning Watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made Is more dirt on your grave That you've been digging Not for yourself but for us Fuck you

Half-ass jackass, liar Bloods clean - you know it is Downstream - it's mine.. not his Red water churning watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made Is more dirt on the grave That you've been digging Not for yourself but for us Fuck you You fuckin liar!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to DevilDriver's "Pale Horse Apocalypse" are heavily weighted with themes of betrayal, vengeance, and the cyclical pattern of destruction and rebirth that often accompanies them. The song's opening lines set the tone for this apocalyptic narrative, with singer Dez Fafara lamenting the desolate roads he and his companions have been forced to traverse: "Solemn roads and the paths least chose / Walking miles when the ground is frozen."

The next few lines evoke a sense of moral ambiguity, as Fafara grapples with the idea of selling one's soul in exchange for power or shelter: "Selling souls that aren't yours to give / Some must go and other may live." As the song progresses, Fafara turns his attention to the betrayer in question, taunting him with the chorus of "Pale Horse Apocalypse," which speaks of a final, cataclysmic reckoning: "Pale horse - apocalypse / Stale breath - from liar's lips / Many many lives / Turned upside down."

The final lines of the song deliver a scathing condemnation of the betrayer's actions and motivations: "Every mistake that you've made / Is more dirt on the grave / That you've been digging / Not for yourself but for us / Fuck you." In essence, "Pale Horse Apocalypse" is a furious denunciation of those who prioritize their own comfort and power over the greater good, and a warning that such actions will inevitably lead to their own downfall.

Line by Line Meaning

Solemn roads and the paths least chose
Choosing the less traveled path in life can be a solemn experience

Walking miles when the ground is frozen
Going through hard times and persevering through it

Selling souls that aren't yours to give
Giving away things that are not within your power to give

Some must go and other may live
Life is uncertain and unpredictable

Pale horse - apocalypse
A pale horse symbolizes death or the end of the world

Stale breath - from liar's lips
Words spoken by someone who is dishonest and untrustworthy

Many many lives
Countless lives affected by the actions of one person

Turned upside down
The sudden change or destruction of a life or situation

Bloods clean - you know it is
Being innocent and not guilty of wrongdoing

Downstream - it's mine, not his
Taking responsibility for one's own actions and not blaming others

Red water churns
Symbolizing the chaos and destruction caused by one's actions

Watch the evil river burn
Witnessing the destruction caused by one's own actions

Every mistake that you've made
The consequences of one's actions and decisions

Is more dirt on the grave
Adding to one's own guilt and shame

That you've been digging
The actions one takes that leads to guilt and shame

Not for yourself but for us
The negative consequences of one's actions not just affecting oneself but others

Congratulations on your efforts dead ends
Ironically acknowledging someone's lack of success or poor decisions

Between us, let's not pretend half-ass, jackass, liar
Calling out someone on their dishonesty and lack of effort

You threw us all in the fire
Turning a situation into a chaotic and disastrous one for everyone involved

Under a hale of gunfire
A chaotic and violent situation

Some will live and others expire
Life is unpredictable and can end suddenly

Fuck you
A message of anger and frustration towards someone who has caused harm

Half-ass jackass, liar
Name-calling and accusing someone of being untruthful and lazy

You fuckin liar!
Continued anger and frustration towards someone who has been dishonest

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., NETTWERK ONE MUSIC (CANADA)LTD
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES FAFARA, JOHN ARNOLD BOECKLIN, JONATHAN DAVID MILLER, MICHAEL COLIN SPREITZER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Lyrics: Solemn roads and the paths least chose
Walking miles when the ground is frozen
Selling souls that aren't yours to give
Some must go and other may live

Pale horse - apocalypse
Stale breath - from liar's lips
Many many lives
Turned upside down

Bloods clean - you know it is
Downstream - it's mine, not his

Red water churns
Watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made
Is more dirt on the grave
That you've been digging
Not for yourself but for us
Fuck you

Congratulations on your efforts dead ends
Between us, let's not pretend half-ass, jackass, liar

You threw us all in the fire
Under a hale of gunfire
Some will live and others expire
You turned it all upside down

Bloods clean - you know it's downstream - it's mine, not his
Red water churning
Watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made
Is more dirt on your grave
That you've been digging
Not for yourself but for us
Fuck you

Half-ass jackass, liar
Bloods clean - you know it is
Downstream - it's mine.. not his
Red water churning watch the evil river burn

Every mistake that you've made
Is more dirt on the grave
That you've been digging
Not for yourself but for us
Fuck you
You fucking liar!