1) A swedish power metal band … Read Full Bio ↴There are four bands named Civil War:
1) A swedish power metal band formed by ex-Sabaton members Daniel Mÿhr, Daniel Mullback, Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén in early 2012. The band brought out their first, self-titled EP later the same year, featuring four original songs, as well as a metal cover version of the Nelly Furtado song 'Say it right'.
2) An aggressive hardcore band from Sydney, Australia, featuring ex-members of Persist and influenced by New York hardcore, crossover and 80s thrash.
3) A now defunct ska/punk/hardcore band from the Netherlands.
4) An underground hip-hop project by Infinity Gauntlet.
Heart of Darkness
Civil War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Underneath the midnight star
I pray for day to break
As the silvery moon makes the river shine
Like the back of an oily snake
Crawling, slithering shadows
The pull of the water beneath the boat
Drags me further into Night
The strangling vines on the shore
Twist on through the darkness forever
Like hangmen's rope they sway
Oh, Heart of Darkness
Oh, heart of man
I walk past the maimed in the Grove of Death
To meet with Captain Kurtz
A talented man, come to bring the light
Sent to break the savage curse
But my wonder drowns in horror
As I see the madness in his eyes
A petty, murderous tyrant
Upon a throne of blood and flies
Humanity stolen, betrayed
Swallowed by darkness forever
Led stumbling away
Oh, Heart of Darkness
Oh, heart of man
Humanity broken, betrayed
Lost in the darkness forever
We're stumbling away
Oh, Heart of Darkness
Oh, heart of man
The lyrics of Civil War's song "Heart of Darkness" depict a journey into the depths of darkness, both literal and metaphorical. The opening lines describe a scene at night, where the singer longs for daylight to come, symbolizing the desire for clarity and understanding. The moon's reflection on the river is likened to the shimmering scales of a snake, evoking a sense of danger and deceit.
The following lines portray the singer feeling trapped, as if surrounded by sinister forces represented by crawling shadows and the pull of the water beneath the boat that drags them deeper into darkness. The imagery of strangling vines and hangmen's ropes twisting through the darkness emphasizes the suffocating and entangled nature of this journey.
The second part of the lyrics introduces Captain Kurtz, who is described as a talented man with the mission to bring enlightenment and overcome the savage curse. However, upon meeting him, the singer is horrified to witness the madness and brutality in Kurtz's eyes. Kurtz is depicted as a tyrant ruling over blood and flies, symbolizing the corruption of power and the loss of human decency.
The chorus, repeated throughout the song, highlights the central theme of the heart of darkness, both within individuals and humanity as a whole. It suggests that darkness can consume and betray humanity, leading it astray forever. The final lines acknowledge the brokenness and betrayal of humanity, emphasizing the staggering and uncertain path it has taken.
With its dark and vivid imagery, "Heart of Darkness" explores the themes of moral ambiguity, the corrupting effects of power, and the struggle of maintaining one's humanity in the face of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath the midnight star
Beneath the night sky filled with stars
I pray for day to break
I desperately hope for the arrival of sunlight
As the silvery moon makes the river shine
The moon's gentle glow reflects on the river's surface
Like the back of an oily snake
Similar to the slippery and dark appearance of a snake's skin
Crawling, slithering shadows
Shadows that move with a snake-like motion
Seem to coil around me, holding tight
It feels as though the shadows tightly embrace and twist around me
The pull of the water beneath the boat
The strong force of the water underneath the boat
Drags me further into Night
Pulls me deeper into the darkness
The strangling vines on the shore
Vines on the land that constrict and suffocate
Twist on through the darkness forever
Continue to twist and turn endlessly in the eternal darkness
Like hangmen's rope they sway
Similar to the way a noose swings back and forth
Oh, Heart of Darkness
Addressing and acknowledging the deep darkness within
Oh, heart of man
Referring to the inner darkness within every human
I walk past the maimed in the Grove of Death
I traverse through a place filled with severely injured people in the area known as the Grove of Death
To meet with Captain Kurtz
For the purpose of having a meeting with Captain Kurtz
A talented man, come to bring the light
A skilled individual who aims to bring enlightenment and hope
Sent to break the savage curse
Sent on a mission to end a brutal and destructive spell
But my wonder drowns in horror
However, my amazement is overshadowed by fear and shock
As I see the madness in his eyes
Observing the insanity and derangement reflected in his gaze
A petty, murderous tyrant
A small-minded, violent ruler
Upon a throne of blood and flies
Sitting on a chair made of blood and surrounded by flies
Humanity stolen, betrayed
The essence of humanity robbed and betrayed
Swallowed by darkness forever
Engulfed by darkness for eternity
Led stumbling away
Guided away while stumbling and struggling
Humanity broken, betrayed
Humanity shattered and deceived
Lost in the darkness forever
Permanently trapped in a state of gloom and despair
We're stumbling away
We are stumbling and moving further from the light
Oh, Heart of Darkness
Addressing and acknowledging the deep darkness within
Oh, heart of man
Referring to the inner darkness within every human
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Mÿhr, Petrus Granar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind