Raise The Dead
Bathory Lyrics


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"dust to dust"
I gasp for air
I scream for sight
And fight against
Torment and dread
Calling the vengeance
I tear at the lid
And promise to raise
From the dead

Raise the dead (raise the dead raise the dead)

Black witch of beauty
All hell's necromancers
Give me the powers of hell
Mistress of curse
Reapers and vultures
Demons stand up
And chime the bell

Raise the dead (raise the dead raise the dead)

Suddenly powers comes
From within
Muscles and mind are
Filled with wrath
I burst out in frenzy
Powers of hell
And break up the
Tomb and the dark





Raise the dead (raise the dead raise the dead)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bathory's song Raise the Dead talk about an individual who is struggling to stay alive and screaming for help. However, instead of receiving aid, they are met with torture and dread. Angered and vengeful, they promise to resurrect from the dead and seek revenge. The individual calls upon the Black Witch of Beauty and all the necromancers of hell to give them the power to do so. The reapers, vultures, and demons all stand up and chime the bell to signify the awakening of the dead. Suddenly, powers rise from within the individual and they burst out in a frenzy, using the powers of hell to break free from their tomb and the darkness.


The song conveys a dark and eerie tone, with its heavy music and haunting vocals. It speaks of the desire for revenge and the willingness to use the forces of darkness to achieve it. The overall theme of the song revolves around death, resurrection, and supernatural powers.


Line by Line Meaning

dust to dust
Acknowledges the cyclical nature of life where all living organisms eventually return to dust after death


I gasp for air
The singer feels suffocated or overwhelmed, possibly by the knowledge that death is inevitable


I scream for sight
The singer desires to see or understand more about death and the afterlife, which is unknown and perhaps feared


And fight against / Torment and dread
The artist is battling negative emotions like fear and anxiety associated with death


Calling the vengeance
The artist is summoning a spirit of revenge, possibly against death or anyone who may have caused their suffering


I tear at the lid
The singer is attempting to break free of something that is keeping them trapped, possibly a coffin or grave


And promise to raise / From the dead
The singer is determined to overcome death and come back to life


Black witch of beauty
Refers to a powerful and dark female figure who the artist is turning to for help


All hell's necromancers
Refers to practitioners of magic or sorcery who can communicate with or raise the dead


Give me the powers of hell
The artist is asking for supernatural abilities to help them raise the dead or overcome death


Mistress of curse
The female figure is capable of laying curses or placing hexes on others


Reapers and vultures / Demons stand up / And chime the bell
Refers to the supernatural entities that are called upon to assist in raising the dead


Suddenly powers comes / From within
The singer realizes they have the ability to summon supernatural powers and feels them rise up within


Muscles and mind are / Filled with wrath
The singer is filled with intense anger or rage, which enhances their abilities to overcome death


I burst out in frenzy / Powers of hell / And break up the / Tomb and the dark
The singer has successfully raised the dead with their newfound powers and breaks out of the tomb or grave to celebrate their achievement


Raise the dead (raise the dead raise the dead)
The repeated refrain emphasizes the artist's determination and success in raising the dead




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: QUORTHON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Awge_aket

Dust to dust

[Verse 1]
I gasp for air, I scream for sight
And fight against torment and dread
Calling the vengeance, I tear at the lid
And promise to raise from the dead

[Chorus]
Raise the dead
Raise the dead
Raise the dead

[Verse 2]
Black witch of beauty, all Hell's necromancers
Give me the powers of Hell
Mistress of curse, reapers and vultures
Demons stand up and chime the bell

[Chorus]
Raise the dead
Raise the dead
Raise the dead

[Bridge]
Hear the infernal legions plea
We shall rise

[Verse 3]
Suddenly powers comes from within
Muscles and mind are filled with wrath
I burst out in frenzy, powers of Hell
And break up the tomb and the dark

[Chorus]
Raise the dead
Raise the dead
Raise the dead



All comments from YouTube:

@joharSen

May be blessed those who've discovered the genius of this band. Your music taste is fuckin awesome

@PureDoom666

​@@goldenz608 Welcome to the club

@TheBr00talhamster

Been going through 1a wave stuff and this is my first listen through

@ign1outta109

Thanks bruh. Metal is life 🀘

@projectthetruth385

I would have driven my stepfather insane with this album in 1984.

@kaisatyr

The true black metal!

@Dischordalchorous

I set this as my alarm.

@MixedBerryTea

You can still hear and see so much of Bathory/Ouorthon's DNA in te modern metal/screamo/dungeon synth scenes. Incredible how much influence one guy can have on an entire subculture.

@LoudnessJP

Yeah, and his influence on most if not all folk metal / folk hard rock that came after the early 90s is obvious to anyone that cares to listen:) His legacy of influence makes his semi-obscurity feel a bit off.

@Dexusaz

"Screamo" Lol what.... do you even know what "Screamo" is?

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