The group was founded by Paul Lemos, the group's only consistent member. Most of Controlled Bleeding's released recordings feature two main collaborators, Chris Moriarty and vocalist Joe Papa, who both died in the late 2000s.
Since their first full-length release in 1983, Controlled Bleeding have released over 30 albums spanning several different genres, many of which were released on notable independent labels. Their cross-genre approach combined with the out-of-print status of many of the group's releases is reminiscent of the work of other experimental and cross-genre groups of the 80s and 90s such as Coil and Swans. Nontheless, Controlled Bleeding's sound varies from album to album and at one time or another has contained elements of dub, free jazz, noise, prog rock, sacred music, dark ambient, classical and musique concrète.
Also see the band's side-projects & solo work:
Skin Chamber
Joined At The Head
Fat Hacker
Body Clock
In Blind Embrace
Paul Lemos
Paul Lemos & Joe Papa
Body Sink
Words of the Dying
Controlled Bleeding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Red and white in time of silence
Soul on fire, forgotten blitzkrieg ?
Time repeating
Times are grating ?
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Come and ? tonight
These are the words of the dying:
Caught in light so sad and winding
Alone at night to scare the distance
Time repeating
Times are grating ?
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Come and ? tonight
These are the rights of our children:
Black and white so charmed in twilight
Eyes of fire will share the distance
Time repeating
Times are grating ?
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Come and ? tonight
The song "Words of the Dying" by Controlled Bleeding is a haunting exploration of the final thoughts and emotions of those facing death. The repeated refrain of "These are the words of the dying" sets a mournful and introspective tone, and the lyrics paint a picture of a world in flux, where old patterns and paradigms are giving way to a new era. The lines "Red and white in time of silence / Soul on fire, forgotten blitzkrieg" suggest a world in turmoil and conflict, with individuals struggling to find meaning and purpose amidst chaos and destruction.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the perspective shifts to that of a witness to the dying's last moments. The lines "Caught in light so sad and winding / Alone at night to scare the distance" evoke a sense of isolation and hopelessness, as the dying individual's spirit struggles to cope with the inevitability of their fate. However, there is also a sense of possibility and renewal present in the lyrics, as the repeated refrain emphasizes the idea that change is inevitable and that new opportunities for growth and transformation always exist, even in the face of death.
Overall, "Words of the Dying" is a stark and powerful meditation on the human experience of mortality, reminding listeners that even in the darkest moments of existence, hope and resilience are always present.
Line by Line Meaning
These are the words of the dying:
The following lines express the thoughts of someone who is dying.
Red and white in time of silence
Colors of blood and bandages become prominent when everything else is quiet.
Soul on fire, forgotten blitzkrieg ?
The soul is filled with intense emotion but the reason for it is unknown or forgotten, like an unexpected attack during warfare.
Time repeating
The same events or feelings are occurring again and again.
Times are grating ?
These recurring events or feelings are becoming increasingly irritating or distressing.
Life in waiting
Life feels like it's simply waiting for something to happen or end.
Times are changing
Despite the repetition, things are still gradually changing or evolving.
Come and ? tonight
An invitation to join in, but with an unknown purpose or direction.
Caught in light so sad and winding
Trapped in a melancholic and twisting situation, while being illuminated with light.
Alone at night to scare the distance
Being alone in the darkness creates a feeling of unease or fear throughout the surroundings.
These are the rights of our children:
The following lines express what is owed to our children.
Black and white so charmed in twilight
Contrasting ideas or values are enchanting when existing in the ambiguous space between light and dark.
Eyes of fire will share the distance
Intense passion, ambition, or anger can bridge or dissolve distance between people or obstacles.
Lyrics Š OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MovedToTearsGiselle
These are the words of the dying:
Red and white in time of silence
Soul on fire, fog on the windscreen
Eternal violence of the mind
Time is remaining
Time is repeating
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Conflict repeating? tonight
These are the words of the dying:
Caught in light so sad and winding
Alone at night to scale the distance
Eternal violence of the mind
Time is remaining
Times is repeating
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Conflagragating? tonight
These are the rights of our children:
Black and white so charmed in twilight
Eyes of fire will share the distance
Eternal violence of the mind
Time is remaining
Time is repeating
Life in waiting
Times are changing
Conflagragating? tonight
@christinapfeifer5005
Quintessential Wax Trax! I love the voice and the sound. This song still haunts me 30 years later. RIP!
@dinofrancis5180
Chris Moriarty went on to do Body Clock & I believe he moved to Texas before he passed away...I was fortunate to meet PAUL LEMOS at Body Clock gig in NYC, the Limelight club back in 1995...Paul did cameo playing guitar while I worked the smoke machines...it was so much fun...Paul still plays but the music is much different now...more like ambient noise sculpture...I once did a philidelphia gig with Body Clock & Chris was so cool to me...it cherish these memories...RIP CHRISTOPHER MORIARTY...you were very special
@zzGRENDELzz
I was at that last body clock gig, like three people in the audience, I was so pissed off at that, their presence was huge thrashing a piece of sheet metal with a chain - covered in automotive grease or something! They looked incredible and sounded better.
@katnoir7978
Thanks for that
@DjRenigade
I have corresponded with Paul for over 15 years. I share music with him that i produce!!
@kakstin
What an amazing voice the guy had. R.I.P. Joe Papa.
@selectivemind5143
Very impressive EBM song. In Japan, I found it in the biggest record shop which is only for expert in Ochanomizu, Tokyo 1998(Ordinary Japanese people listen to domestic pop music only). I wrote some scores and synthesized some sounds from this song. Japanese famous EBM band, Soft Ballet's vocalist, Ryoichi Endo played Controlled Bleeding in his TBS radio program 1993.
@tonguepetals
One of the most underrated tracks of all time.
@captainmubbers6715
If I only had one penny for each time I read this sentence in the comment section of Youtube!
@keinan17
This band is so underrated