The Snake Has No Head
C.O.C.: Corrosion of Conformity Lyrics
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Nihilist to be turns the scrape into a gash
Walking tall and ignorant-this man is now a militant
Deceiving the prophets confession to release this endless aggression
One is the soul Amplified Suicide
Keeps the masses terrified
But there's nothing to kill nothing to kill
Cause the snake has no head
But the body fills with greed and we spill when in need
And all the slaves are on probation growing fat in a comfortable nation
So the snake keeps on recruiting we one more royal shooting
Nothing left to lose so we create another wound
One is the soul Amplified Suicide
Keeps the masses terrified
Nothing to kill nothing to kill nothing to kill
Nothing left unsaid
Cause the snake has no head
Fear of death is gain consuming the weak in shame
It's a power we can't see but it leaves ourselves to blame
Shameless mourn another day slithering sins fade away
But the snake is just a pawn and remains when we are gone
One is the soul Amplified Suicide
Keeps the masses terrified
Nothing to kill nothing to kill nothing to kill
Nothing left unsaid
Cause the snake has no head
The song "The Snake Has No Head" by Corrosion of Conformity is a commentary on the working class and their struggle against those in power. The opening lines, "Invalid at last smothers the working class/Nihilist to be turns the scrape into a gash," discuss how those in power have made the common people feel insignificant and powerless. This creates a breeding ground for those who feel overlooked or oppressed to become militant and seek vengeance. The line, "Walking tall and ignorant-this man is now a militant," shows how this mentality can lead to dangerous behavior.
The chorus, "One is the soul Amplified Suicide/Keeps the masses terrified/But there's nothing to kill nothing to kill/Nothing left unsaid/Cause the snake has no head," speaks to the lack of leadership or direction in this movement. The body may be willing, but without a clear and coherent leader, there is no real progress. The line "nothing left unsaid" suggests that there is a lot of talk without action, and that the snake (the movement or idea) doesn't have a head to guide it, making it directionless and ineffective.
The final verse, "Fear of death is gain consuming the weak in shame/It's a power we can't see but it leaves ourselves to blame/Shameless mourn another day slithering sins fade away/But the snake is just a pawn and remains when we are gone," seems to suggest that the fear of death and the desire for power are ultimately destructive and unfulfilling, even though they may seem like something to strive for. The snake is just a pawn in a larger game, and in the end, it will still be there when we are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Invalid at last smothers the working class
The powerless have been suffocated by those in power
Nihilist to be turns the scrape into a gash
Those who believe in nothing will only make things worse
Walking tall and ignorant-this man is now a militant
Ignorance leads to blind fanaticism and aggression
Deceiving the prophets confession to release this endless aggression
False prophets use lies to justify their violent actions
One is the soul Amplified Suicide
Individuals who value death over life
Keeps the masses terrified
Their actions create fear in those around them
But there's nothing to kill nothing to kill
Nothing left unsaid
Their violent actions serve no purpose
Cause the snake has no head
Their leader is absent, leaving chaos in their wake
But the body fills with greed and we spill when in need
When times get tough, people will turn on each other for personal gain
And all the slaves are on probation growing fat in a comfortable nation
People in a seemingly prosperous society are still oppressed and controlled
So the snake keeps on recruiting we one more royal shooting
The leaderless movement continues to attract new members willing to engage in violence
Nothing left to lose so we create another wound
Those who feel they have nothing to lose will only continue to inflict harm
Fear of death is gain consuming the weak in shame
Those who fear death will be used and controlled by those in power
It's a power we can't see but it leaves ourselves to blame
The unseen force of fear leads to individuals taking responsibility for their own oppression
Shameless mourn another day slithering sins fade away
Those who exploit others will eventually be forgotten
But the snake is just a pawn and remains when we are gone
The leaderless movement will continue even after its members have left or died
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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