Zombie
Ed Helms & The Cranberries Lyrics

Another head hangs lowly
The first line of the song represents the loss of another life due to violence. The head hanging lowly symbolizes the sadness and grief that comes with death.

Child is slowly taken
The second line refers to the death of a child. It emphasizes the tragedy and heartbreak associated with youthful and innocent lives lost to violence.

And the violence, caused such silence
The third line indicates that the violence has silenced the people in the society. They are unable to speak up against such heinous acts and thereby, become complicit in them.

Who are we mistaken?
The fourth line raises a pertinent question regarding the identity of the people who are causing such violence. It makes one ponder who the real culprits are and how these crimes can be stopped.

But you see, it's not me
The fifth line indicates that the artist of the song is not responsible for the violence happening in the world. It suggests a sense of helplessness in the face of such extreme situations.

It's not my family
The sixth line puts forth the idea that not only the singer but also their family is not involved in any violent activities. It represents these innocent people caught in the crossfire of the bigger conflict.

In your head, in your head, they are fighting
The seventh line refers to the mental image of war that a person has in their head. This war is being fought between different groups using tanks, bombs, and guns.

With their tanks, and their bombs
The eighth line describes the weapons that are being used in the conflict as tanks and bombs. It emphasizes the destructive power of these weapons and their ability to cause massive death and destruction.

And their bombs, and their guns
The ninth line extends the description of the weapons used with the addition of guns. The line reinforces the idea of the massive firepower that different parties involved in the conflict possess.

In your head, in your head, they are crying
The tenth line suggests the emotional toll that the war is taking on the people involved in it. It highlights the grief and sadness caused by the loss of life and the destruction around them.

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
The repeated refrain of the song serves as a metaphor for the state of people caught in the crossfire. They are helpless, lifeless and moving aimlessly like zombies.

What's in your head, in your head
The twelfth line is a question that prompts the listener to think about the mental images they carry in their head about violence, war, and conflict. It serves as a call to action to bring about change.

Another mother's breaking
The thirteenth line brings the focus of the song back to the human cost of violence. It refers to the pain and grief of another mother losing her child to violence.

Heart is taking over
The fourteenth line refers to the overwhelming emotional impact that such an event can have on a person. The heart takes over, and one is left reeling from the trauma of it all.

When the violence causes silence
The fifteenth line echoes the earlier lines of the song, suggesting that violence can have the effect of silencing people. However, in this context, it also highlights the importance of speaking up and breaking the silence.

We must be mistaken
The sixteenth and final line of the song reiterates the central question posed in the fourth line. It questions the assumptions we make and urges us to look beyond the surface to find solutions to the problem of violence.