Shadows slip between
the houses
in the early
afternoon
Silent shadows in the sunlight
slight as rumour
Strong as the
Sun.

In empty streets
and over
ancient fields
Victory marches
on its secret feet

For here, we
are in Shadow
– where the Light
meets Matter,
where
the warming Sun
makes Cold –
where Radiance
produces
None

Here we are all strangers
and must die alone
Words run like mercury
from mouth to mouth –
but we hear nothing

Armies are marching
from strike to strike –
but we see no one

We shoot at Shadows
Fear
is our Air,
Surprise,
our destroyer,
Orders,
our enemy

Ghost of the field
Child of the
street.
Victory marches
On its secret
feet.

Overall Meaning

The song "Victory" by News From Babel is a haunting piece reflecting on the futility of war and the human condition. The first verse describes the eerie and quiet atmosphere in a shadowy place where one could easily mistake the shadows for something real. The second stanza contrasts this with the concept of "victory marches on its secret feet" - a paradoxical statement suggesting that victory is elusive and unattainable.

The third verse builds on this theme of illusory victory, placing it within the context of battle. The singer observes the chaotic scene of armies marching and fighting, but from their perspective, it is all in vain. Orders are enemies and the shadows are the only real constant in this world.

The final verse brings the focus back to the individual, acknowledging that in the end, we are all alone and strangers. Words are empty and meaningless, and fear is ubiquitous. Victory remains a mystery, marching on those secret feet that no one can discern.

Overall, "Victory" is a poignant commentary on the human condition, war, and the ever-present illusion of victory in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Shadows slip between the houses in the early afternoon
Silent and subtle shadows move around unnoticed by people in the neighborhood during the early afternoon hours.

Silent shadows in the sunlight slight as rumour Strong as the Sun.
These shadows are quiet and unobtrusive, barely noticeable, but they are as powerful and solid as the sun when it comes to determining the nature of reality.

In empty streets and over ancient fields Victory marches on its secret feet
Victory is a force that moves through the world unseen, but it is always present, even in abandoned or forgotten places like empty streets and ancient fields.

For here, we are in Shadow – where the Light meets Matter, where the warming Sun makes Cold – where Radiance produces None
This is a place where opposites collide, where light and dark intersect, where warmth can feel cold, and where brightness can turn into emptiness.

Here we are all strangers and must die alone Words run like mercury from mouth to mouth – but we hear nothing
We are all isolated from each other, forced to face our mortality alone, and even when words are spoken, they are empty and meaningless, echoing endlessly without purpose or comprehension.

Armies are marching from strike to strike – but we see no one We shoot at Shadows Fear is our Air, Surprise, our destroyer, Orders, our enemy
War rages on around us, but it is invisible to us, and we are fighting ghosts, nothingness, and intangible fears that threaten to destroy us.

Ghost of the field Child of the street. Victory marches On its secret feet.
Victory is elusive and mysterious, impossible to grasp or comprehend, but it continues to move forward, even when no one sees it or recognizes its impact.

Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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