The Awakening
Iced Earth Lyrics


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Centuries pass step by step
Revelations coming threat
Sand of time dark intent
Devise creeds breeds discontent
Prophecy, stars collide
Born is he who turns the tide
Ancient rage, vehemence
Indignation and torment

Dark equation, astrology
Armageddon, the reckoning
Revelation, astral beast
Armageddon, the reckoning

Shallow views, intolerance
Jewish, Muslim, Protestant
The root of man's insolence
Lies in fear and arrogance
A valid threat if they unite
Moses, Muhammad, Jesus Christ
Born of man with second sight
Twist their words we will divide

Dark equation, astrology
Armageddon, the reckoning
Revelation, astral beast
Armageddon, the reckoning

If humans learn what's truly at stake
And of the birth of Set Abominae
Their primitive minds, a maddened state, no
Frame it as the Elder deemed
Frame it our way

Framing Armageddon!
Framing Armageddon!




Framing Armageddon!
Framing Armageddon!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Iced Earth's song The Awakening express a sense of apocalyptic dread and a warning of the catastrophic consequences of humanity's tendency towards intolerance and arrogance. The first verse speaks of the passing of centuries and the approach of a prophesied threat, with time itself being likened to a dark force with ominous intent. The second verse goes on to address the divisions between religious faiths, with a warning that even the most disparate beliefs could lead to a dangerous unity if they felt threatened. The chorus repeats the themes of Armageddon and the reckoning, with the astral beast standing in for the Biblical Antichrist.


The third and final verse of the song provides a ray of hope, however faint, in the form of Set Abominae. While the name may sound like something out of a Lovecraftian horror story, in the context of the song it represents a knowledge or understanding that could prevent the coming storm. The line "Frame it our way" suggests that the singer believes humans must take control of their own destiny, rather than being at the mercy of prophecies or supernatural forces.


Overall, The Awakening is a powerful warning about the dangers of extremism and intolerance, as well as a call for humanity to take responsibility for its own fate. The dark imagery and apocalyptic tone are reminiscent of classic heavy metal, and the lyrics are likely to resonate with anyone who feels a sense of unease about the state of the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Centuries pass step by step
Time moves forward slowly but surely


Revelations coming threat
The future holds uncertain danger


Sand of time dark intent
The passing of time can be ominous and foreboding


Devise creeds breeds discontent
Religious beliefs can cause division and strife


Prophecy, stars collide
The universe is unpredictable and full of mysteries


Born is he who turns the tide
A powerful individual will emerge to change the course of events


Ancient rage, vehemence
The anger and intensity of past events still resonate


Indignation and torment
Feelings of anger and suffering persist


Shallow views, intolerance
Narrow-mindedness and lack of acceptance lead to conflict


Jewish, Muslim, Protestant
The three Abrahamic religions often clash


The root of man's insolence
Pride and arrogance are the cause of human conflict


Lies in fear and arrogance
The real issue is fear and overconfidence


A valid threat if they unite
Their combined power could be dangerous


Moses, Muhammad, Jesus Christ
Founders and prophets of the Abrahamic religions


Born of man with second sight
These figures were believed to have divine insight and foresight


Twist their words we will divide
Misinterpretation and manipulation of religious teachings cause division


If humans learn what's truly at stake
If people understand the gravity of the situation


And of the birth of Set Abominae
And the emergence of a powerful evil entity


Their primitive minds, a maddened state, no
Their lack of knowledge and understanding will not serve them well


Frame it as the Elder deemed
Present the situation as the powerful beings who came before us intended


Frame it our way
Manipulate the situation to our advantage


Framing Armageddon!
Using current events to set the stage for a future apocalypse


Framing Armageddon!
Taking advantage of chaos and uncertainty to further our own goals


Framing Armageddon!
Manipulating the situation to bring about an end to the world


Framing Armageddon!
Using fear and uncertainty as a tool for personal gain




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON SCHAFFER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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