The Dawn Of Dying
Desperados Lyrics

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hells breaking loose when the daltons rode
terrorizing aims get off the ground
fellows-hip by brotherhood in arms
despising law and order, got remand
their soul has slept in cold eclipse
roused by fighting spirit
following the promised way straight
to the dawn of dying

dancing to the beat of the singing guns
another soul is passing by
at the dawn of dying
the dawn of dying

barrels sight their heads in coffeville
lured into the trap the end is near
at least the dead await the final storm
baptized in fire, bodies to adorn
bullets flow dehumanized
but the purge is done
within the one who told the story
within the truth about the glory
of the dawn of dying
the dawn of dying

forever crucified at the judgement's wooden spine
the final pulse of history
forever buried there where the others lie
old west infinity
perfect genocide is computerized
the laughing face of death around
the warning that nobody realized
will take us to the dawn

the dawn of dying
the dawn of dying

Overall Meaning

In "The Dawn of Dying," Desperados paints a vivid picture of a group of outlaws, the Dalton Gang, who made their mark in the late 1800s with a string of daring robberies and shootouts. The opening lines set the tone for chaos and violence that permeate the song. The words "hells breaking loose" evoke a sense of danger and unpredictability, while "terrorizing aims get off the ground" suggests that the gang's actions were motivated by a sense of rebellion and disregard for authority.

The chorus, which repeats the phrase "at the dawn of dying," adds an eerie quality to the song, almost as if the listener can sense the impending doom that awaits the outlaws. The line "dancing to the beat of the singing guns" further reinforces the theme of death and destruction. The imagery of bullets flying and bodies falling is juxtaposed with the idea of a "brotherhood in arms," which portrays the Dalton Gang as a group of men united by a common cause.

The second verse shifts the focus to the events that led to the Dalton Gang's demise. The line "barrels sight their heads in Coffeyville" refers to a failed bank robbery in 1892, during which the Dalton Gang was ambushed and nearly all members were killed. The words "the end is near" suggest that the outlaws were aware of their fate, but soldiered on anyway. The verse also alludes to the idea of martyrdom, as the gang members become "baptized in fire" and their bodies adorn the landscape.

The final verse takes a more philosophical tone, with imagery of crucifixion and burial. The line "perfect genocide is computerized" suggests that violence and death have become mechanized and dehumanized. The words "the laughing face of death" further underscore the idea of death as something almost comedic, a stark contrast to the grim reality faced by the Dalton Gang.

Overall, "The Dawn of Dying" is a powerful, evocative song that captures the spirit of the Old West and the legacy of a notorious group of outlaws.

Line by Line Meaning

hells breaking loose when the daltons rode
Chaos arose when the Dalton gang rode into town.

terrorizing aims get off the ground
The gang aims to cause terror and they begin their crime spree.

fellows-hip by brotherhood in arms
The gang is united by their loyalty to each other and a desire to commit crime together.

despising law and order, got remand
They have no respect for the law and have been arrested for their crimes.

their soul has slept in cold eclipse
They have been lying dormant and inactive, but now they are awake and active again.

roused by fighting spirit
Their desire for a violent, lawless lifestyle has been reawakened.

following the promised way straight
The gang is following a path promised to them, likely one of criminal success.

to the dawn of dying
They are heading towards an inevitable, violent end.

dancing to the beat of the singing guns
The gang are in the midst of a shootout and the gunfire provides a deadly soundtrack.

another soul is passing by
Another person is killed in the continuing violence of the situation.

at the dawn of dying
Despite the violence, the end is not yet reached, and the gang is still on their way to their ultimate demise.

barrels sight their heads in coffeville
The gang is caught in a trap in the town of Coffeville.

lured into the trap the end is near
The gang has been fooled and their capture or death is imminent.

at least the dead await the final storm
Even in death the gang may find some sort of solace before their end.

baptized in fire, bodies to adorn
The gang will be made to suffer and ultimately die in a violent way.

bullets flow dehumanized
The death and violence has reached such a level that it seems to be lessening the humanity of all involved.

but the purge is done
After the violent, deadly confrontation is over, the area will be cleared of the criminals and any other undesirables.

within the one who told the story
There is an individual, presumably a survivor or someone who heard about the event, who knows the whole story.

within the truth about the glory
This person knows the truth about the event, including the violent and unpleasant nature which may have been glossed over by some.

of the dawn of dying
The event has come to an end in a dramatic and tragic way, with many people dead and the perpetrators brought to justice.

forever crucified at the judgement's wooden spine
The gang will be remembered forever, likely in a negative light, as a warning against similar behavior in the future.

the final pulse of history
This event marks the end of a time period in which violent criminals like the gang could run roughshod over society.

forever buried there where the others lie
The gang will be buried in a cemetery along with many other people who have died, with no special consideration or respect for their crimes.

old west infinity
This event is a common part of the history of the old west, and will continue to be remembered in that context.

perfect genocide is computerized
Modern technology allows for horrific acts of violence to be carried out more efficiently and accurately, leading to even more death and destruction.

the laughing face of death around
Death is all around, and it seems to mock those who would try to resist it or fight against it.

the warning that nobody realized
Despite signs and signals, nobody saw the disaster coming until it was too late.

will take us to the dawn
The event and its aftermath will lead to a new beginning, another dawn in the cycle of life and death.

the dawn of dying
Regardless of new beginnings, the violence and death that has occurred can't be erased, and will be remembered for a long time to come.

Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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