Man or Ash
C.O.C.: Corrosion of Conformity Lyrics
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Life is a sin when the shepherds are breeding
In the quiet place force the mind to erase
So the people can pray to the distant drummer
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
Divine surpass
Be it man or
Ashes cover the man which the decades demand
And paves the way for the sick and the dying
The devil hides his tail behind the virgin's veil
So the dead can dance to a distant drummer
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
No care no less
Divine surpass
Be it man or
Ashes fall like rain as the blind go insane
The shepherds fall to the feet of the martyr
Baptize with gasoline holy flame unholy scene
As the ashes rise to the distant drummer
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
These are primitive times
No care no less
Divine surpass
Be it man or ash
Not Man Or Ash
is a song by the American heavy metal band Corrosion of Conformity. The lyrics of the song hint towards the religious turmoil in the primitive times, where the shepherds, who represent religious leaders, are breeding sin instead of spreading righteousness. The song talks about the thin line between being human and being reduced to ashes, which signifies leaving behind nothing but memory after death.
The lyrics suggest that in these primitive times, people are being blinded by their beliefs and cannot see the reality of the situation. The devil is hiding behind the veil of virginity, leading people towards the deadening dance of ignorance, and the blind are going insane, falling to the feet of the martyrs. The chorus, "No care no less, divine surpass, be it man or ash," suggests that after all, it does not matter if one leaves behind ashes or is remembered as a man. All that matters is the divine and surpassing power of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Far from reach how the serpents preach
The dangerous ideas preached by deceitful people seem far away, but they still have an effect.
Life is a sin when the shepherds are breeding
When the leaders are corrupt, life becomes immoral.
In the quiet place force the mind to erase
In isolation, it's possible to forget everything and focus purely on prayer.
So the people can pray to the distant drummer
The people pray to a far-off spiritual presence, perhaps to escape their harsh reality.
Ashes cover the man which the decades demand
Over time, everyone dies and becomes ash, no matter what they achieve in life.
And paves the way for the sick and the dying
The dead leave room for the sick and dying to survive and continue life's struggles.
The devil hides his tail behind the virgin's veil
Evil camouflages itself behind purity and innocence.
So the dead can dance to a distant drummer
Death and decay might be suggested to have their own rhythm, because they are inevitable parts of life's cycle.
Ashes fall like rain as the blind go insane
When things are in chaos, destruction doesn't discriminate - it consumes everything, even the innocent.
The shepherds fall to the feet of the martyr
The leaders who once seemed invulnerable fall to the ground, looking up to those who never backed down from their beliefs.
Baptize with gasoline holy flame unholy scene
Sometimes the purest things are stained by destructive forces.
As the ashes rise to the distant drummer
Life inevitably ends in death and destruction, perhaps following a greater rhythm or plan.
These are primitive times
The lyrics suggest that humanity is currently at a low point in development.
No care no less
The phrase could imply the idea that life is pointless or insignificant.
Divine surpass
There is something beyond human understanding or comprehension at play.
Be it man or ash
Everyone, no matter their current status or history, will face the same fate eventually.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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