Nature on a Leash
Alchemist Lyrics


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We're growing buildings by the sea.
We're plotting, planning our insanity.
Pushing out to live beyond our bounds.
Taking over until nothing can be found.
Striving for heights we can not reach.
We're keeping nature on a leash.
Joking with ourselves.
As we pretend that we don't see, and we're growing taller,
blasting deeper holes under the sea.
We won't see it coming.
Nature reclaims all that's hers.
Returning balance to the earth.
And we move underground, and we begin to see.
Nature removes her leash.
It's now on you and me.
Striving for heights we can not reach.
We're keeping nature on a leash.
Arrogance will be the downfall of the human race.
Building bigger cities, soon to be our children's graves.
Nature escapes from her chains.
And we move underground.
And we begin to see.




Nature remove her leash.
It's now on you and me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alchemist's song Nature on a Leash explore themes of human destruction of the natural world and the consequences that come with it. The opening lines, "We're growing buildings by the sea. We're plotting, planning our insanity," speak to the rampant development and urbanization that is taking place all over the world. The lyrics convey a sense of hubris, as humans continue to push boundaries and expand beyond what is sustainable. This is reflected in the lines, "Striving for heights we cannot reach. We're keeping nature on a leash," which suggest that humans are trying to control and dominate nature rather than living in harmony with it.


The lyrics then take a turn, warning that nature will eventually reclaim what is rightfully hers. "Nature reclaims all that's hers. Returning balance to the earth," says the song, as it predicts that humans will eventually be forced to retreat underground as nature takes over. The final verse, "Arrogance will be the downfall of the human race. Building bigger cities, soon to be our children's graves," is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of our actions.


In essence, Nature on a Leash is a warning about the dangers of unchecked growth and urbanization, and a reminder that we must respect and live in harmony with the natural world, or face the consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

We're growing buildings by the sea.
We're expanding and constructing new infrastructure close to the ocean.


We're plotting, planning our insanity.
We're intentionally devising irrational and harmful actions.


Pushing out to live beyond our bounds.
We're extending our reach and living beyond our capacity.


Taking over until nothing can be found.
We're claiming everything around us to the point where nothing is left.


Striving for heights we can not reach.
We're working towards unattainable goals.


We're keeping nature on a leash.
We're controlling and suppressing natural processes and ecosystems.


Joking with ourselves.
We're fooling ourselves by denying the severity of our actions.


As we pretend that we don't see, and we're growing taller, blasting deeper holes under the sea.
We're purposely ignoring the negative effects of our actions while expanding and drilling deeper into the ocean floor.


We won't see it coming.
We're ignorant of the repercussions of our actions.


Nature reclaims all that's hers.
Natural systems will eventually regain control and restore balance.


Returning balance to the earth.
Balance in the environment will be restored.


And we move underground, and we begin to see.
We're forced to retreat and realize the consequences of our actions.


Nature removes her leash.
Natural processes are no longer suppressed and controlled.


It's now on you and me.
It's up to us to take responsibility and make a change.


Arrogance will be the downfall of the human race.
Our excessive pride and belief in our superiority will lead to our own destruction.


Building bigger cities, soon to be our children's graves.
Our current actions will result in harm to future generations.


Nature escapes from her chains.
Natural processes are no longer controlled or suppressed.


And we move underground.
We're forced to abandon the surface and retreat.


And we begin to see.
We're becoming aware of the consequences of our actions.


Nature removes her leash.
Natural processes are no longer controlled or suppressed.


It's now on you and me.
It's our responsibility to take action and restore balance.




Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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