All Hell
The Cat Empire Lyrics

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All hell's crashing down inside
The windows to the other side
Shimmering in rooms to quiet sighs of

'Oh well if it's happening there
It isn't here', and god appears to deal
A different hand to different tiers

But this play is not over yet
Hear the music of those marionettes
Beating drums down the quiet streets
Of ignorance and vain regrets

And all these fears swiftly come to pass
Presently she feels we're past
Cups of tea and optimistic prayers

Cos out there's our unholy mess
Gathering its long white dress
And marching down aisle to marry this

Matrimonial future bliss
Kiss the tide and hope it doesn't lift up your
Carpet woven from apathy and token frets
All Hell!

But this play is not over yet
Hear the music of those marionettes
Beating drums down the quiet streets
Of ignorance and vain regrets

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "All Hell," a song by the Australian band The Cat Empire, are about the chaos and uncertainty that often pervade our lives. The first verse describes the feeling that everything is falling apart, that the world outside our window is shimmering with its own troubles, and that people are trying to ignore those problems. The idea that different people are dealt different hands in life is contrasted with the notion that we're all just puppets, controlled by unseen forces.

The second verse continues the idea of life as a performance, with the music of marionettes driving us down a path of ignorance and regret. The third verse introduces the idea of hope, but this hope is tempered with the realization that our world is a mess, and that anything could happen. The final lines describe a world in which everything is turned upside down, where unholy matrimony is celebrated and the tide threatens to lift up the carpet of our apathy.

"All Hell" is a reflective and introspective song, one that prompts listeners to consider their own place in the world and the ways in which they might be contributing to the ongoing chaos around them. It's a reminder that we are all interconnected, and that what happens in one part of the world can have ripple effects throughout the rest of it.

Line by Line Meaning

All hell's crashing down inside
The situation is turning worse within oneself

The windows to the other side
A glimpse into the unknown

Shimmering in rooms to quiet sighs of 'Oh well if it's happening there It isn't here', and god appears to deal A different hand to different tiers
People tend to ignore problems unless they directly affect them and it seems like the higher powers act unfairly

But this play is not over yet
The situation still has a chance of being resolved

Hear the music of those marionettes
Listen to the people who are controlled by outside forces

Beating drums down the quiet streets
The sound of change is approaching

Of ignorance and vain regrets
The consequences of not taking action earlier

And all these fears swiftly come to pass
The worst-case scenarios are slowly becoming reality

Presently she feels we're past
The person feels like the situation is already too far gone

Cups of tea and optimistic prayers
A futile attempt to remain positive amidst the chaos

Cos out there's our unholy mess
The bigger problem that the people are currently facing

Gathering its long white dress
The problem is becoming more prominent and dangerous

And marching down aisle to marry this
The problem will soon become attached to the current situation

Matrimonial future bliss
An ironic term to describe the bleak future ahead

Kiss the tide and hope it doesn't lift up your carpet woven from apathy and token frets
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best