- David McCormick (lead singer)
- Alan… Read Full Bio ↴A Rotterdam November is:
- David McCormick (lead singer)
- Alan Schwaderer (keys, guitar, backup vocals)
- Jared Nelson (guitar, backup vocals)
- Andy Baker (bass)
- David Niacaris (drums)
- Dylan Anitok (guitar, backup vocals)
The band formed in late 2006, Boise, Idaho.
Their name alludes to what happened in the aftermath of the bombing of the city of Rotterdam during WWII. After the heart of the venerable city had been completely destroyed, architects reconstructed it from scratch. The band's name reflects the interpretation of this idea of "an old city with a new heart" as a Christian metaphor for the renewing transformation of a heart damaged by sin.
Crippling Machine
A Rotterdam November Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd say that you're an effective machine, you say
that you're clean, but maybe you're the same underneath.
She saw her son off at the train platform,
it was April 24, her hug that day
was not the same as the ones before.
These fields are haunted by, a thousand men who died,
to stop this Holy War, to stop this Holy War.
Chorus
I could whisper their names, I could shout to the ceiling,
but something has to change, too many people died believing,
that they would see the day, when you're just a pile of gears, harmless after all these years,
Crippling Machine, -chine.
Belgium is cold, but not as cold as an icy stare of self-piety,
that'll shoot down a plane, tear out my tongue, I swear,
blood still speaks. In the silence as they raise the flag,
they shoot the shots, our young hero is dead, lying peacefully,
what he had to do, he already did.
Bridge:
In the aftermath, of motors, extra parts,
someone is going to try to salvage your heart.
But, I don't care, It's your eyes I'll consider,
Burning first, then your fists, your fingers.
Flanders, Belgium has killed a lot of men,
but not as many as your religion.
You're not escaping the chains you force us to wear,
Hate doesn't respect you,
Hate doesn't care,
What exactly do you fight for?
I'll tear you apart, no diplomacy,
I'll make sure I sabotage all circuitry,
till one day, you and I stop this war
The song "Crippling Machine" by A Rotterdam November touches on the theme of war and the deep-rooted impact it has on individuals and society in general. The lyrics are a powerful commentary on the futility of war, the casualties that result from it, and the way it perpetuates hatred and violence.
The opening lines 'Who taught you these things, wounding crippling, I'd say that you're an effective machine, you say that you're clean, but maybe you're the same underneath' suggest that the person being addressed is a soldier or someone who is fighting a war. The singer questions the mindset of this individual, asking who taught them to inflict pain and suffering, and if there is more to them under the surface.
The song then shifts to a story of a mother sending her son off to war, reminiscing about how different their goodbye was compared to previous ones. The pre-chorus 'These fields are haunted by, a thousand men who died, to stop this Holy War, to stop this Holy War' reflects how history has been shaped by violence and conflict.
The chorus laments the lives lost to war and the need for change, with the lines 'but something has to change, too many people died believing, that they would see the day when you're just a pile of gears, harmless after all these years, Crippling Machine'.
Overall, the song Crippling Machine is a powerful anti-war ballad that challenges the causes and reasoning behind conflict, while also expressing deep empathy for the individuals who are caught up in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Who taught you these things, wounding crippling,
Who influenced you to cause so much harm and pain?
I'd say that you're an effective machine, you say that you're clean, but maybe you're the same underneath.
You may claim to be efficient and untainted, but you're probably just as flawed and corrupt as the rest of us.
She saw her son off at the train platform, it was April 24, her hug that day was not the same as the ones before.
On April 24, a mother said goodbye to her son at a train station, but this farewell was different from previous ones, perhaps reflecting a sense of unease or foreboding.
These fields are haunted by, a thousand men who died, to stop this Holy War, to stop this Holy War.
The fields are filled with the memories and sacrifices of the many soldiers who gave their lives in an attempt to halt this senseless religious conflict.
I could whisper their names, I could shout to the ceiling, but something has to change, too many people died believing, that they would see the day, when you're just a pile of gears, harmless after all these years, Crippling Machine, -chine.
While it's tempting to simply mourn the losses and hope for an end to the violence, we must actively work towards preventing more bloodshed and destroying the systems and machines that perpetuate it.
Belgium is cold, but not as cold as an icy stare of self-piety, that'll shoot down a plane, tear out my tongue, I swear, blood still speaks. In the silence as they raise the flag, they shoot the shots, our young hero is dead, lying peacefully, what he had to do, he already did.
The frigid weather in Belgium pales in comparison to the coldness and arrogance of those who would kill innocent people and try to silence their critics. Even in death, those who fought for justice and peace continue to have a voice.
In the aftermath, of motors, extra parts, someone is going to try to salvage your heart. But, I don't care, It's your eyes I'll consider, Burning first, then your fists, your fingers.
Despite the efforts of others to repair and redeem you, the singer is not swayed by such attempts and views you only with hatred and a desire for retribution.
Flanders, Belgium has killed a lot of men, but not as many as your religion. You're not escaping the chains you force us to wear, Hate doesn't respect you, Hate doesn't care,
While the conflict in Flanders has caused many deaths, it pales in comparison to the atrocities inflicted by those who adhere to extremist religious beliefs. No matter how you try to justify your actions or appeal to hate, it will always consume and destroy you.
What exactly do you fight for? I'll tear you apart, no diplomacy, I'll make sure I sabotage all circuitry, till one day, you and I stop this war
The artist is questioning your motives and determination, and promises to fight you with unrelenting force until you cease to function and the war finally ends for good.
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.