Original Fire 341
Audioslave Lyrics


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[Chorus: x4]
The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on

With a pen in one hand, taking us and burned on kerosene
Headed for a fire would find us something to believe
Wallowing round with dirty hands on wires
Singing songs in discord choirs
Screaming in braille, no temptress prize
Could ever yield anything so real

[Chorus: x2]

Golden soldiers born much older than they'll ever live to be
Diving into a sea of hands in a long forgotten city
When the rain falls ever after
The swinging vines hang dead in rafters
Blood rush to heal your head induces of laughter endlessly

The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on
The original fire has died and long gone, but the riot inside moves on

Can't explain it, it was something to see
Can't contain something ethereal
Ethereal

Can't explain it, it was something to see
Can't contain something so ethereal
Ethereal





[Chorus: x4]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Audioslave's song "Original Fire" explores how the singer is compelled to seek out something to believe in, fueled by the desire to find a sense of purpose and meaning in their life. The original fire, which symbolizes passion and creativity, has died and gone, but the riot inside continues, driving them forward. The singer's search is further amplified by the use of vivid imagery, such as a pen dipped in kerosene and dirty hands on wires, signifying the sacrifices and grueling work needed to ignite the original fire.


The second verse introduces more characters, portraying golden soldiers who were born old and now dive into a sea of hands in a forgotten city. The imagery here could represent either the struggle to survive or the search for truth in a world that has become detached from its original source of passion and inspiration. The rain falls ever after, and the vines hang dead, as the search for something real and meaningful becomes increasingly challenging. Nonetheless, the singer presses forward, driven by the endless laughter that follows the blood rush that heals their head.


Line by Line Meaning

The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on
The inspiration or passion that once fueled us may have disappeared, but the intensity and chaos that it created still persists within us.


With a pen in one hand, taking us and burned on kerosene
We use our creativity to express and ignite our passions even if it means sacrificing ourselves in the process.


Headed for a fire would find us something to believe
We're seeking a purpose or something to hold onto in life, even if it leads us toward instability and danger.


Wallowing round with dirty hands on wires
We're struggling and grasping at whatever we can, even if it's something that might harm us or cause discomfort.


Singing songs in discord choirs
Our voices are being heard, but they're not necessarily in harmony or agreement with each other.


Screaming in braille, no temptress prize / Could ever yield anything so real
Our emotions and desires can't be fully understood or satisfied by material possessions or superficial pleasures.


Golden soldiers born much older than they'll ever live to be
We feel like we've been fighting our battles for so long that we've aged beyond our years.


Diving into a sea of hands in a long forgotten city
We're searching for something to grasp onto or guide us, even if it's amidst the ruins of a forgotten past.


When the rain falls ever after / The swinging vines hang dead in rafters
Even when life seems to be in a perpetual state of decay or decay, we still need to try to find hope and beauty amidst the ruins.


Blood rush to heal your head induces of laughter endlessly
Sometimes, the pain or trauma we experience in life can lead to something unexpectedly joyful or liberating.


Can't explain it, it was something to see / Can't contain something ethereal
There are moments in life that are beyond explanation or comprehension, but they still have a profound impact on us.


Can't explain it, it was something to see / Can't contain something so ethereal
Some things in life are too intangible or fleeting to capture or hold onto, but we still cherish their memory and impact.


The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on
The inspiration or passion that once fueled us may have disappeared, but the intensity and chaos that it created still persists within us.


The original fire has died and long gone, but the riot inside moves on
The inspiration or passion that once fueled us may have disappeared, but the intensity and chaos that it created still persists within us.


The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on
The inspiration or passion that once fueled us may have disappeared, but the intensity and chaos that it created still persists within us.


The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on
The inspiration or passion that once fueled us may have disappeared, but the intensity and chaos that it created still persists within us.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Cornell, Chris / Wilk, Brad / Commerford, Tim / Morello, Tom

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@axllebeer

I remember seeing this when it 1st aired. One of the best Supergroups and I have all the albums!

@NostalgiaKing

I love this performance. But, I hate the way Dave treats that vinyl!

@vhsarchiverman

Whipping it around like he's trying to swat flies

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