Burn in Hell
Dimmu Borgir諛 Lyrics
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Come on in, child; take my hand
Here there's no work or play
Only one bill to pay
There's just five words to say
As you go down, down, down
You're gonna burn in hell
You can't believe all the things I've done wrong in my life
Without even trying I've lived on the edge of a knife
Well, I've played with fire, but I don't want to get myself burned
To thine own self be true, so I think that it's time for a turn
Before I burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
You're gonna burn in hell
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
Take a good look in your heart; tell me what do you see?
It's black and it's dark, now is that how you want it to be?
It's up to you; what you do will decide your own fate
Make your choice now for tomorrow may be far too late
And then you'll burn in hell
The lyrics to Dimmu Borgir's song "Burn in Hell" are filled with metaphorical and poetic expressions, while also being quite unambiguous in meaning. The song is about sin and punishment, a common theme in many belief systems. The singer in the song appears to be a guide of sorts, who welcomes the listener to an "abandoned land," a place with no work or play, no pleasure or pain. The only thing that matters here is that "only one bill to pay" and that the listener is going to burn in hell.
The song is dark and ominous, with a sense of impending doom. The listener is told that they can't believe all the things that have been done wrong in their life, and that without even trying, they've lived on the edge of a knife. The singer seems to be warning the listener of the consequences of their actions, that they will burn in hell. The listener is told to hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil, to avoid the wrath of the unseen powers that be.
The singer also acknowledges their own sins and their own fear of punishment, pledging to be true to themselves and avoid further transgressions. In the end, the song leaves the listener with a warning to "take a good look in your heart" and make the right choices, lest they burn in hell.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the abandoned land
Entering the song is venturing into a place of isolation and despair.
Come on in, child; take my hand
The singer is inviting the listener to fall under their influence and guidance.
Here there's no work or play
This place has no purpose or joy to offer.
Only one bill to pay
The cost of entry is one's own soul.
There's just five words to say
The artist is concise in their message to threaten and intimidate.
As you go down, down, down
Descending into the darkness of the evil realm being presented in the song.
You're gonna burn in hell
The listener is being warned of eternal punishment in the afterlife.
Oh, burn in hell
Reiteration of the previous line for emphasis.
You can't believe all the things I've done wrong in my life
The artist is confessing their own sins and wrongdoings as a justification for the listener's impending punishment.
Without even trying I've lived on the edge of a knife
The artist is admitting to recklessness and danger-seeking behavior.
Well, I've played with fire, but I don't want to get myself burned
The singer has dabbled in evil but is now attempting to avoid the consequences.
To thine own self be true, so I think that it's time for a turn
The artist is counseling the listener to live a genuine life and make a change before it's too late.
Before I burn in hell
The singer fears their own punishment as well.
Hear no evil, don't you
The listener is being told to avoid negative influences.
See no evil, don't you
The listener is being warned of the dangers of temptation.
Lay no evil down on me
The artist is making it clear that they do not want to be associated with evil.
Speak no evil, don't you
Further warning against spreading negativity.
Think no evil, don't you
The listener is being cautioned against even entertaining evil thoughts.
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
The singer has chosen to embrace evil and the consequences that come with it.
Take a good look in your heart; tell me what do you see?
The listener is being urged to reflect on their own soul and behavior.
It's black and it's dark, now is that how you want it to be?
The artist is pointing out the darkness within the listener and questioning if it's worth continuing down that path.
It's up to you; what you do will decide your own fate
The listener has agency in choosing their own destiny.
Make your choice now for tomorrow may be far too late
Urging the listener to make a change before it's too late to do so.
And then you'll burn in hell
Repeating the warning and prediction of eternal punishment in the afterlife.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL DEE SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind