It has been suggested that Page collaborated with Coverdale in order to irk Page's former Led Zeppelin band-member Robert Plant, who up to that point had been reluctant to re-unite with Page.[1] In interviews at the time, Plant expressed some derision at the guitarist's collaboration with Coverdale.[2] Rumours emerged that Coverdale and Page would be joined by John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham in a reformed Led Zeppelin, but this did not pan out.[citation needed]
This studio album marked a return to commercial success for Page since his days with Led Zeppelin. However, after a series of concerts in Japan, sluggish tickets sales for a subsequent world tour resulted in the partnership being dissolved. Page subsequently teamed up with Plant for an "UnLedded" MTV project and Coverdale re-appeared from time to time with different Whitesnake line-ups.
Whisper A Prayer For The Dying
Coverdale/Page Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers´ sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying
The suffocating heat of jungles, and burning desert sands
Where everything reminds you, you´re a stranger in a strange land
While guardian angels waste their time and every mother cries
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying, dying
Machine gun, battle cry, you pray to God when the bullets fly
The bombs fall like black rain, an' all your dreams take you home again
Nothing but bad dreams
You can´t read, you can´t write
You´re so scared, you can´t sleep at night
You try to carry the heavy load
Walking down Armageddon road
Oh, Armageddon road
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers´ sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, baby, baby
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Whisper a prayer for the dying
You can´t run, you can´t hide
You can´t show what you feel inside
You´re going crazy, going insane
You know you´ll never be the same again, no, no
Whisper a prayer for the dying, dying, dying, dying, dying, no, no
Armageddon road, Armageddon road
I´m walking down Armageddon road
The lyrics of Coverdale/Page’s song “Whisper A Prayer For The Dying” depict the tragic reality of war, as told from the perspective of an observer. The opening lines describe the sound of gunfire and the heartbreaking scene of young soldiers lying dead on the ground. The choice to use the word “tragedy” suggests that these deaths are not an inevitable consequence of war, but rather an unnecessary and preventable loss of life. The following lines highlight the devastating impact of war on families - fathers, mothers, and children, all of whom are left grieving. The singer then concludes that there is nothing left to do but pray for the dying soldiers.
The lyrics in the second verse further emphasize the horrors of war, describing the suffocating heat of the jungle and the burning sands of the desert. The phrase “stranger in a strange land” refers to the disorientation and confusion soldiers feel when they are sent to unfamiliar territories to fight. The song also criticizes politicians who use “soothing words” to justify violence and wars, while “guardian angels” watch on helplessly as mothers continue to cry. The final verse of the song paints a picture of a soldier’s daily existence, where the fear of danger and the weight of responsibility takes a toll on one’s physical and mental health. The closing lines of the song lead back to the chorus, where the singer once again calls for a prayer for the dying, revealing that even in the midst of chaos, there is still room for hope and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
The ominous sound of an impending disaster can be heard from far away.
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
Witnessing the sight of young lives lost is a heart-wrenching tragedy.
I see the fathers´ sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
The families of the deceased are left behind to mourn and grieve their loss.
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
There is nothing else one can do but pray for those who are dying or have already died.
The suffocating heat of jungles, and burning desert sands
The oppressive heat of tropical jungles and arid deserts can be overwhelming and suffocating.
Where everything reminds you, you´re a stranger in a strange land
Being in a place where you don't belong can make you feel like an outsider.
The soothing words of politicians, those bodyguards of lies
Politicians often speak deceitfully, offering empty promises and false hope.
While guardian angels waste their time and every mother cries
Despite the belief in guardian angels, they seem powerless to prevent the suffering and tragedy that results in mothers' tears.
Machine gun, battle cry, you pray to God when the bullets fly
In moments of intense combat, you realize your vulnerability and look to a higher power for protection.
The bombs fall like black rain, an' all your dreams take you home again
The destruction of war makes you yearn for the safety and comfort of home and loved ones.
You can´t read, you can´t write, you´re so scared, you can´t sleep at night
Living in fear, deprived of basic education and communication, can take a severe toll on one's mental and emotional health.
You try to carry the heavy load, walking down Armageddon road
Struggling to bear the burdens of a harsh, brutal world is like walking down the path of the apocalypse.
Whisper a prayer for the dying
Amidst the horrors of war and struggle, the only solace left is to pray for those who are dying.
You can´t run, you can´t hide, you can´t show what you feel inside
Under the oppressive conditions of war, you can't escape, be honest, or express your true emotions.
You´re going crazy, going insane, you know you´ll never be the same again, no, no
The trauma and stress of war can cause you to lose your sanity, and your life will always be impacted by these experiences.
Armageddon road, Armageddon road
The path of war and destruction is like the road to the apocalypse.
I´m walking down Armageddon road
The artist is experiencing the brutality and devastation of war firsthand, and the path forward is uncertain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID COVERDALE, JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AlchemiaMagic
Lyrics:
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers' sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying
The suffocating heat of jungles, and burning desert sands
Where everything reminds you, you're a stranger in a strange land
The soothing words of politicians, those bodyguards of lies
While guardian angels waste their time and every mother cries
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying, dying
Machine gun, battle cry, you pray to God when the bullets fly
The bombs fall like black rain, an' all your dreams take you home again
Nothing but bad dreams
You can't read, you can't write
You're so scared, you can't sleep at night
You try to carry the heavy load
Walking down Armageddon road
Oh, Armageddon road
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers' sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, baby, baby
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Whisper a prayer for the dying
You can't run, you can't hide
You can't show what you feel inside
You're going crazy, going insane
You know you'll never be the same again, no, no
Whisper a prayer for the dying, dying, dying, dying, dying, no, no
Armageddon road, Armageddon road
I'm walking down Armageddon road
@BBBoroBongo
Lyrics: Life is a waterfall
We're one in the river
And one again after the fall
Swimming through the void, we hear the word
We lose ourselves, but we find it all
'Cause we are the ones that want to play
Always want to go, but you never want to stay
And we are the ones that want to choose
Always want to play but you never want to lose
Aerials in the sky
When you lose small mind, you free your life
Life is a waterfall
We drink from the river
Then we turn around and put up our walls
Swimming through the void, we hear the word
We lose ourselves, but we find it all
'Cause we are the ones that want to play
Always want to go, but you never want to stay
And we are the ones that want to choose
Always want to play but you never want to lose
Oh
Aerials in the sky
When you lose small mind, you free your life
Aerials, so up high
When you free your eyes, eternal prize
Aerials in the sky
When you lose small mind, you free your life
Aerials, so up high
When you free your eyes, eternal prize
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
@prespos
I was listening to this one in the streets of Paris, back in 1993.
This track, like several off this LP, is Led Zeppelin quality.
Strange thing, is that, here, in 2015, the lyrics seem even more relevant.
"You pray to God as the bullets fly."
That's physical: look up combat footage from Syria, etc.
Musically, Lyrically, this is very powerful song.
This one should have been a Led Zeppelin song.
Whisper a Prayer for the Living,
Prespos
@AlchemiaMagic
Lyrics:
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers' sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying
The suffocating heat of jungles, and burning desert sands
Where everything reminds you, you're a stranger in a strange land
The soothing words of politicians, those bodyguards of lies
While guardian angels waste their time and every mother cries
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying, dying
Machine gun, battle cry, you pray to God when the bullets fly
The bombs fall like black rain, an' all your dreams take you home again
Nothing but bad dreams
You can't read, you can't write
You're so scared, you can't sleep at night
You try to carry the heavy load
Walking down Armageddon road
Oh, Armageddon road
I hear the sound of distant thunder, echo all around
I see the tragedy of young ones lying on the ground
I see the fathers' sons and daughters, I hear the mothers crying
Nothing left for me to do, but, whisper a prayer for the dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Oh, a prayer for the dying, baby, baby
Oh, a prayer for the dying, dying
Whisper a prayer for the dying
You can't run, you can't hide
You can't show what you feel inside
You're going crazy, going insane
You know you'll never be the same again, no, no
Whisper a prayer for the dying, dying, dying, dying, dying, no, no
Armageddon road, Armageddon road
I'm walking down Armageddon road
@duster691
Think about what they are trying to tell you. WAKE UP!!!
@nazzare79
one of the best songever singed by Coverdale...and what a voice! wonderful song, SO UNDERRATED!
@stewartmatthews1551
Mmm for sure my mom is a fan of this band
@douglas2902
Any thing page does is bound to be a masterpiece. I bought this CD back in 1993 and I still have the same one
@seaningram3285
I still have the cassette.
@damiankarras
One of the best album closers ever.
@briperri3447
1 of the greatest songs of all time
@stewartmatthews1551
For sure but the thing is that you don't hear this on the radio
@steveroberts701
Fantastic musicians. Fantastic band. This is the very best of DC and Jimmy Page. They really got the best from each other on this album. An absolute bloody tragedy that they never followed it up with another album. Superb stuff!!