The Chase
Altjira Lyrics

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One more day - The Pequod travels fast riding the tide
One more night - I just can't overcome the nightmares
That keep haunting my sleep and my watch
Infecting heart and brain of what once use to be a man
And now is just a worn-out shade

I will live! Lurching on the waves to find my fate
You will die! To search over the seas for what is mine

Ocean deep! My hate will reach you even in the abyss
Slay your kind! You'll be mine

Sailing on
I'll chase and find you
Sailing on
No wave will hide you now
Sailing on
When I'll reach the place
There where the demon hides
My vengeance and my fate I will fulfill

I'm the old thunder - None can heal the wounds it left inside
Burning madness - None can understand the pain that leads
My quest and my restless soul through the seven seas
To find and kill the monster white
And finally get peace and rest

I will live! Lurching on the waves to find my fate
You will die! To search over the seas for what is mine
Ocean deep! My hate will reach you even in the abyss
Slay your kind! You'll be mine

Sailing on
I'll chase and find you
Sailing on
No wave will hide you now
Sailing on
When I'll reach the place
There where the demon hides
My vengeance and my fate I will fulfill

To the last I grapple with thee
From hell's heart I stab at thee
For hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee

I don't care if I will die
I just won't let you survive
In the end the only important thing is vengeance

I've just paid the cost in full
My soul's the price to defeat you

Now I know our time has come
Our time has come!

Overall Meaning

"The Chase" by Altjira is a song that tells the story of a protagonist who is haunted by nightmares and is driven by a burning desire for vengeance. The lyrics depict a journey on a ship called the Pequod, symbolizing the singer's relentless pursuit of their target, referred to as "the demon." The first paragraph describes the singer's struggle with fear and the gradual loss of their humanity as they become consumed by their mission.

The second paragraph highlights the singer's determination and conviction. They are willing to endure any hardship, even risking their life, in their quest for justice. The use of the word "hate" suggests that the singer's motivation is deeply rooted in a personal vendetta. They are driven by a fierce desire for retaliation, vowing to eradicate their foe.

The repeated chorus, "Sailing on, I'll chase and find you," emphasizes the singer's persistence. No obstacle, represented by the waves, can deter them from their goal. The lyrics convey the feeling of an unstoppable force closing in on its target, with a sense of inevitability. The words "where the demon hides" suggest that the adversary is elusive and perhaps even mythical, adding to the intensity of the chase.

In the third paragraph, the singer describes themselves as the "old thunder," implying a combination of power and ancient wisdom. The wounds they carry are emotional, inflicted by past traumas, and difficult for others to comprehend. The lyrics reveal that the singer's quest extends beyond seeking retribution for themselves. They believe that vanquishing the "monster white" will bring them inner peace and rest, potentially symbolizing complete redemption or closure.

The final verse reveals the singer's unwavering determination to see their mission through, even if it costs them their life. They vow to fight until the bitter end, expressing their hatred and determination to destroy their adversary. The line "For hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee" demonstrates the singer's dedication to their cause, prioritizing vengeance above all else.

In the closing lines, the singer acknowledges the sacrifice they have made, suggesting that their soul is the price they have paid for their quest for vengeance. They are aware that their time has come, indicating a sense of impending confrontation or resolution. The intense repetition of "Our time has come!" signifies the climax of the story, leaving the listener with a sense of anticipation. Ultimately, the song explores themes of obsession, revenge, and the cost of relentless pursuit.

Line by Line Meaning

One more day - The Pequod travels fast riding the tide
With each passing day, the Pequod sails swiftly, carried by the current.

One more night - I just can't overcome the nightmares
Another night passes, and I am unable to conquer the haunting nightmares.

That keep haunting my sleep and my watch
These nightmares persist not only during sleep but also while I am awake and vigilant.

Infecting heart and brain of what once use to be a man
They infect both my emotions and my thoughts, transforming me from a whole person into a mere shadow of my former self.

And now is just a worn-out shade
I am now reduced to a faded and exhausted existence.

I will live! Lurching on the waves to find my fate
I will persist, riding the tumultuous waves in search of my destiny.

You will die! To search over the seas for what is mine
You, my enemy, will perish in your quest across the vast oceans, seeking what rightfully belongs to me.

Ocean deep! My hate will reach you even in the abyss
My profound hatred will transcend even the darkest depths of the ocean, reaching you wherever you may hide.

Slay your kind! You'll be mine
I will eliminate your kind and claim you as my own.

Sailing on
Continuing my journey at sea.

I'll chase and find you
I will relentlessly pursue and locate you.

No wave will hide you now
No wave or obstacle can conceal you from me any longer.

When I'll reach the place
Once I arrive at the location

There where the demon hides
Where the monstrous being conceals itself

My vengeance and my fate I will fulfill
I will exact my revenge and fulfill my destined purpose.

I'm the old thunder - None can heal the wounds it left inside
I am the embodiment of destructive force, and no one can heal the deep wounds it has inflicted within me.

Burning madness - None can understand the pain that leads
My consuming madness is incomprehensible, and no one can fathom the anguish that drives me.

My quest and my restless soul through the seven seas
My relentless pursuit and my soul plagued by unrest traverse the vast expanses of the world's oceans.

To find and kill the monster white
To locate and annihilate the formidable white monster.

And finally get peace and rest
And ultimately achieve tranquility and respite.

To the last I grapple with thee
I will contend with you until the very end.

From hell's heart I stab at thee
With the utmost malice, I strike at you from the depths of my torment.

For hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
Out of pure hatred, I expend my final breath to show my contempt towards you.

I don't care if I will die
I am indifferent to the possibility of my own demise.

I just won't let you survive
However, I am determined to ensure your demise.

In the end the only important thing is vengeance
Ultimately, the sole crucial matter is to achieve revenge.

I've just paid the cost in full
I have recently paid the complete price.

My soul's the price to defeat you
My soul serves as the sacrifice required to vanquish you.

Now I know our time has come
I am now aware that our confrontation is imminent.

Our time has come!
The moment has arrived for our final reckoning!