After All
Black Sabbath Lyrics
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Will you forgive me for living?
Can't believe the things that they said
Wonderful day for a killing
It's killing me!
What do they do with your soul?
Is it just lying there busted?
Is there someone to be trusted with my mind?
Oh there's insufficient evidence
Of what just might come after
But sometimes out of nowhere
There's demented sounds of laughter
Are we all haunted by the ghost - imagination?
It just can't be, I've seen them there howling at the moon
Is it just me or does somebody else, believe this
Well I'm not alone and I'm not afraid
There's just one way to see after all
After all
After all
After all
What do you say to the dead?
Is there a place where it's burning?
It says in a book I once read
Yes, there's a chance of returning
Turn to me
The fundamental principles
Say nothing of forever
But those are voices that I hear
Or I'm just not so clever
It can't be me I know somebody else, believes this
Well I'm not alone, I'm not afraid
Just one way to see after all
After all
Coming after all
After all
After all
The lyrics to Black Sabbath's song "After All" deal with heavy subjects like death, the afterlife, and the meaning of life. The song opens with the question of what to say to the dead and asks for forgiveness for living. It then contemplates the fate of the soul after death, asking if it just lies there busted and wondering when the loss of control occurred. There is a doubt about who can be trusted with one's mind and an acknowledgment of the insufficient evidence about what comes after death. However, there is also a hint of hope as the singer talks about the chance of returning from death mentioned in a book he once read. The song ends with the repetition of the titular phrase "After all" as if to say that despite all the questions and doubts, there is still a way to see things.
The lyrics of "After All" are open to interpretation, but it seems like the song is expressing a sense of confusion and despair at the mystery of death and what comes after. The questions asked throughout the song are unanswered, and the singer seems to be wrestling with the idea that there might be nothing after death. The line "It just can't be, I've seen them there howling at the moon" suggests that the idea of an afterlife might be a product of imagination or wishful thinking. However, the line "I'm not alone and I'm not afraid" indicates that the singer is not willing to give up hope entirely and is willing to explore the possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you say to the dead?
How do you communicate with those who have passed away?
Will you forgive me for living?
Do you have any grievances against me for being alive?
Can't believe the things that they said
It's difficult to comprehend the statements made.
Wonderful day for a killing
The present conditions are ideal for taking a life.
It's killing me!
It's causing me intense emotional distress.
What do they do with your soul?
What happens to the soul after death?
Is it just lying there busted?
Is it rendered useless and unrepairable?
When did you lose all control?
At what moment did you surrender all authority?
Is there someone to be trusted with my mind?
Can I confide in anyone with complete faith?
Oh there's insufficient evidence
Currently, there is inadequate proof.
Of what just might come after
Regarding what could follow death.
But sometimes out of nowhere
Occasionally, without warning.
There's demented sounds of laughter
There are eerie and disturbing outbursts of laughter.
Are we all haunted by the ghost - imagination?
Is our imagination responsible for the believed apparitions?
It just can't be, I've seen them there howling at the moon
It seems impossible because I've witnessed their ghostly behavior.
Is it just me or does somebody else, believe this
Am I the only one, or do others share my belief?
Well I'm not alone and I'm not afraid
I'm not the lone person, and I don't feel anxious.
There's just one way to see after all
There's only one means to discover the truth.
What do you say to the dead?
What do you speak to those who have departed?
Is there a place where it's burning?
Is there a location where everything is on fire?
It says in a book I once read
I read that information in a publication.
Yes, there's a chance of returning
It's possible to return from the other side.
Turn to me
Direct your attention to me.
The fundamental principles
The basic concepts.
Say nothing of forever
They don't mention eternity.
But those are voices that I hear
I hear those sounds or thoughts.
Or I'm just not so clever
Perhaps, I'm not intelligent enough or astute.
It can't be me I know somebody else, believes this
I'm certain that someone else shares this idea since I can't be the only one.
Just one way to see after all
There's only one course of action to discover the truth.
Coming after all
It's arriving eventually.
After all
Eventually, in the end.
After all
Finally, conclusively.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TONY IOMMI, GEEZER BUTLER, RONNIE JAMES DIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind