In the afterlife
You could be headed for the serious strife
Now you make the scene all day
But tomorrow there'll be Hell to pay

People listen attentively
I mean about future calamity
I used to think the idea was obsolete
Until I heard the old man stamping his feet.

This is a place where eternally
Fire is applied to the body
Teeth are extruded and bones are ground
Then baked into cakes which are passed around.

Beauty, talent, fame, money, refinement
Top skill and brain
But all the things you try to hide
Will be revealed on the other side.

Now the D and the A and the M
And the N and the A
And the T and the I-O-N
Lose your face, lose your name
Then get fitted for a suit of flame

Overall Meaning

The song “Hell” by Squirrel Nut Zippers deals with the idea of the afterlife and how the things we do in our present life affect our future. The beginning of the song talks about how in the afterlife, we could be in serious trouble if we haven't been living our lives correctly. The lyrics then discuss the idea of people listening intently when it comes to future calamities. This is when the songwriter states that they used to think the idea of a future disaster was obsolete until they heard an old man stamping his feet.

The second verse is where the lyrics become more detailed about what happens in the afterlife. The song describes it as a place where fire is continuously applied to the body, teeth are continuously extruded, and bones are ground down, then baked into cakes that are passed around. The point being made in these lyrics is that there is no escaping your past after death because everything you have ever done will be revealed.

The final verse places an emphasis on the letters D-A-M-N-A-T-I-O-N, which means to be condemned to eternal punishment in hell. The lyrics state that everything that was hidden in your life will be revealed, and you will be fitted for a suit of flame. This closing verse is emphasizing that when you die, the truth of your life will come out, and everything you have done will be judged.

Line by Line Meaning

In the afterlife
After death, when your spirit leaves your body

You could be headed for the serious strife
You might be in big trouble

Now you make the scene all day
You enjoy yourself all day long

But tomorrow there'll be Hell to pay
But you'll have to suffer the consequences tomorrow

People listen attentively
People pay close attention

I mean about future calamity
I mean about the terrible things that might happen in the future

I used to think the idea was obsolete
I used to think this idea was no longer relevant

Until I heard the old man stamping his feet.
Until I heard the old man warning us about what's to come

This is a place where eternally
This is a place where forever

Fire is applied to the body
Your body is burned by fire

Teeth are extruded and bones are ground
Your teeth are pulled out and your bones are crushed

Then baked into cakes which are passed around.
Your remains are used to make cakes that are shared with others

Beauty, talent, fame, money, refinement
Attractiveness, ability, recognition, wealth, class

Top skill and brain
Great talent and intelligence

But all the things you try to hide
But all the things you keep secret

Will be revealed on the other side.
Will be exposed after you die.

Now the D and the A and the M
Now the letters D, A, and M

And the N and the A
And the letters N and A

And the T and the I-O-N
And the letters T and I-O-N

Lose your face, lose your name
You will lose your identity

Then get fitted for a suit of flame
Then get ready to be burned in a fiery punishment

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