All Is Dust
Icewind Lyrics
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The only thing real is pain
Wonders of the world no longer there
To take the blame, no one dare...
War is in vain!
Walking the path follow your way
From this wasteland remains decay
Fear inside and dust resides
Temple exploding while you pray
To make the war stop you will obey
Iron monster, falling feather
No one is waiting for that day
Fly away from this land
And you'll be free
Escape at last from death and misery
No more cries and no more lies
'Cause I will set you free
From all this dust!
Hearing gunshot, who's the prey
How can I know?
I'm dressed in grey
Dying father, crying mother
They are at war so this is the way
[Chorus:]
[Solo: Vincent / Jay]
Gone away from the sand
And you will see
No more death nor even misery
No more cries and please don't die
'Cause I have set you free
But all is dust!
The lyrics to Icewind's song All Is Dust are a reflection of the harsh realities of war and its destructive aftermath. The opening lines of "Many people die, the only thing real is pain" set the tone for the song, which is a lament for the victims of war. The second line is particularly potent and reflects the experience of those who have suffered in wars, as the physical and emotional pain is the only thing that feels real to them. The next line "Wonders of the world no longer there" speaks to the destruction and ruin left in the wake of war, the beauty and marvels of the world can be easily destroyed by a violent conflict. The line "To take the blame, no one dare... War is in vain!" challenges the notion of war being a solution to any problem and the devastating consequences of it.
The chorus of the song offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer urging the person in question to "Fly away from this land and you'll be free". The hope is that the victim can escape the "death and misery" and find freedom from the war-torn land that they are in. The bridge of the song presents a glimpse into the heartbreak and tragedy of war, with "Dying father, crying mother" being victims of a senseless conflict. The chorus is repeated, almost as a plea for peace and freedom, but the song ends on a bleak note with the refrain "But all is dust". Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the horrors of war and the toll it takes on the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Many people die
Death is common and prevalent
The only thing real is pain
Pain is the only constant truth
Wonders of the world no longer there
Beauty and marvel have been destroyed
To take the blame, no one dare...
No one wants to take responsibility
War is in vain!
Fighting has led to no helpful result
Walking the path follow your way
Stay true to yourself
From this wasteland remains decay
Only destruction follows in this barren space
Roaring thunder, burning water
Violence is a part of nature in this place
Fear inside and dust resides
Terror and debris surround you
Temple exploding while you pray
Worship and religion have also suffered damage
To make the war stop you will obey
Submission is the only way to end fighting
Iron monster, falling feather
Even technology and the natural world have combined in destruction
No one is waiting for that day
Hope for a better tomorrow is rare
Fly away from this land
Escape is the only solution
And you'll be free
Only then can you truly be liberated
Escape at last from death and misery
Leave behind all suffering and pain
No more cries and no more lies
Freedom is a feeling of honesty and relief
'Cause I will set you free
Someone offers to help you find this freedom
From all this dust!
Escape the chaos and destruction
Hearing gunshot, who's the prey
Violence continues relentlessly
How can I know?
Uncertainty clouds everything
I'm dressed in grey
The world is now drab and colorless
Dying father, crying mother
Family bonds have been tragically impacted by war
They are at war so this is the way
Conflict defines the way of life
[Chorus:]
Reprise of the main ideas
[Solo: Vincent / Jay]
Instrumental interlude
Gone away from the sand
A second plea for escape
And you will see
A promise of something better
No more death nor even misery
The possibility of a life without pain and suffering
No more cries and please don't die
A message of hope and resilience
'Cause I have set you free
Gratitude for escape and rescue
But all is dust!
A reminder of the destruction and loss that remains
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.