Death by the Bay
Ghost Lyrics


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This has gone on long enough
Some change is overdue
I drove up on Grizzly Peak and hung myself over this city
Let the blood flow down and cleanse these streets
Burn my body on a windy night
Set my ashes into the bay
Let them fill the gap between love, hate, silence and screams
Don't forget to sprinkle some in to the drink of the fuckers I hate
I've seen these kingdoms rise and fall
I've seen these faces change with the seasons
I am your laughing shadow
I've seen this one, one million times
Every night is Halloween
Your costume is wearing you out
So naked, so exposed
That's how I wanted this
I've seen these kingdoms rise and fall
I've seen these faces change with the seasons




I am your laughing shadow
I've seen this one, one million times

Overall Meaning

The song "Death by the Bay" by Ghost is a dark and melancholic track that speaks of an individual who has seen the rise and fall of different kingdoms and faces that change with the seasons. The opening lines of the song indicate that something has gone on for too long, and that change is overdue. The lyrics then go on to express the desire of the singer to hang himself over the city from Grizzly Peak, letting his blood flow down to cleanse the streets.


The singer then goes on to express his desire for his body to be burnt on a windy night, with his ashes being set into the bay. He hopes that his ashes will fill the gap between love, hate, silence, and screams. The singer also requests that some of his ashes be sprinkled into the drink of the people he hates.


The latter part of the song seems to suggest that the singer has experienced this cycle of life and death, rise and fall, and changing faces and seasons many times before. The song ends with the singer declaring that he is a laughing shadow and has seen this one, one million times. Overall, the song touches on themes of death, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life.


Line by Line Meaning

This has gone on long enough
I am tired of the way things are


Some change is overdue
It's time for things to be different


I drove up on Grizzly Peak and hung myself over this city
I am despairing and suicidal, feeling overwhelmed by the city


Let the blood flow down and cleanse these streets
I want my death to be meaningful and transformative


Burn my body on a windy night
Leave no trace of me, obliterate me


Set my ashes into the bay
I want to be part of something bigger than myself


Let them fill the gap between love, hate, silence and screams
I hope my remains will bring peace and healing to this troubled place


Don't forget to sprinkle some in to the drink of the fuckers I hate
I want to haunt and harm those who wronged me


I've seen these kingdoms rise and fall
I have lived a long time and witnessed history


I've seen these faces change with the seasons
I have seen people come and go, come and go


I am your laughing shadow
I am a mocking reminder of all you have lost


I've seen this one, one million times
I am tired of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth


Every night is Halloween
Life is a terrifying masquerade, and every face wears a mask


Your costume is wearing you out
You are tired of pretending to be something you're not


So naked, so exposed
I am vulnerable, I am raw, I am undone


That's how I wanted this
I chose to die this way, alone and unadorned




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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