The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"Woe to you, oh earth and sea, for the devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty-six"

I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think, to get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe?
That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy?

Just what I saw
In my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?

'Cause in my dreams
It's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair
Yeah

Night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me?
In the mist dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real or just some kind of hell?
Six six six the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry, hands held to the sky
In the night, the fires are burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done
Six six six the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight
This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
Seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes
Six six six the number of the beast
Six six six the one for you and me

I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "The Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden bring forth a sense of impending doom and apocalypse. The lyrics of the song are based on the Book of Revelation in the Bible, which describes the prophetic end of the world where the devil sends the beast with wrath. The song highlights the devil's knowledge of the shortness of time, which eventually leads him to unleash his wrath upon the earth and sea. The song warns people with understanding to reckon the number of the beast, as it is a human number, six hundred and sixty-six.


In the first verse of the song, the singer explains that he left alone because his mind was blank, and he needed time to think and get memories from his mind. He has a vague recollection of what he saw but cannot believe whether it was real or just his imagination. In the chorus, the singer talks about the evil face that has been haunting him in his dreams that twists his mind and brings him to despair.


The second verse talks about the night of the black mist, where strange figures move and twist, and the singer is unsure of what is real or just some kind of hell. The chorus reiterates the number of the beast as six hundred and sixty-six, with hell and fire spawned to be released. The third verse describes the scene of the ritual where sacred chants are praised and hands held to the sky while the fires are burning bright. The chorus again brings the number of the beast and the sacrifice going on tonight. The final verse ends with the singer feeling drawn towards the chanting hordes, unable to avoid their eyes and the number of the beast being the one for both the singer and the person they are speaking to.


Line by Line Meaning

Woe to you, oh earth and sea, for the devil sends the beast with wrath
Dreadful things will happen to you, land and ocean, because the devil has unleashed his rage upon you


Because he knows the time is short
The devil is aware that his time is limited, thus he is taking drastic measures


Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
The people who are intelligent should work out the meaning of the devil's mark


For it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty-six
It is a number that represents humanity, and it is six hundred and sixty-six


I left alone, my mind was blank
I was by myself, with nothing occupying my thoughts


I needed time to think, to get the memories from my mind
I required some moments of introspection, to recollect things that were in my head


What did I see? Can I believe?
What did I observe? Is it possible that it's authentic?


That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy?
Was the event that I encountered truly factual, or just a figment of my imagination?


Just what I saw
The thing that I witnessed


In my old dreams
In the reveries that I had before


Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?
Do those visions reflect my distorted psyche when it confronts me?


'Cause in my dreams
Because in my fantasies


It's always there
The evil is omnipresent in those dreams


The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair
That evil visage contorts my brain and plunges me into hopelessness


Night was black, was no use holding back
Darkness was all-encompassing, there was no point in abstaining


'Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me?
I was too curious, I had to check if someone was observing me


In the mist dark figures move and twist
Obscure forms sway and contort in the haze


Was all this for real or just some kind of hell?
Is this genuinely happening or is it some sort of torment?


Six six six the number of the beast
666 represents the beast


Hell and fire was spawned to be released
The beast was created in hellfire, and it's now unleashed


Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
Torches were lit and holy incantations were lauded


As they start to cry, hands held to the sky
As they start to weep, they raise their arms to the heavens


In the night, the fires are burning bright
The fires are burning zealously in the darkness


The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done
The ceremony has started, Satan's intentions are accomplished


Sacrifice is going on tonight
A sacrifice is happening this evening


This can't go on, I must inform the law
This is unacceptable, I need to report it to the authorities


Can this still be real or just some crazy dream?
Is this still factual, or just a delirium?


But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
Nevertheless, I'm compelled to move towards the people who are chanting


Seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes
They seem to enchant me, I cannot evade their gaze


Six six six the number of the beast
666 represents the beast


Six six six the one for you and me
666 is for both of us


I'm coming back, I will return
I will come back, I will reappear


And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
And I will take control over your body and make you suffer


I have the fire, I have the force
I possess the strength and power


I have the power to make my evil take its course
I have the capability to unleash my maleficent purposes




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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George Dill

kicking it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@carbootstudios2459

0:11 The Return of the Vampire (1944)
0:29 The Devil Rides Out (1968)
0:35 Nosferatu (1922)
0:41 How to Make a Monster (1958)
0:47 One Million B.C. (1940)
1:10 The Crimson Ghost (1946)
1:17 Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
2:15 House of Wax (1953)
3:20 War of the Colossal Beast (1958)
3:50 The Angry Red Planet (1959)
3:59 The Screaming Skull (1958)



@josedemetriooliveiraacciol513

I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think
To get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe?
That what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy?

Just what I saw in my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?
'Cause in my dreams it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

Night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me?
In the mist, dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real or just some kind of Hell?

Six six six, the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry, hands held to the sky
In the night, the fires are burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done

Six six six, the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight

This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
Seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes

Six six six, the number of the beast
Six six six, the one for you and me

I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course



@ives3572

LYRICS
[Spoken intro: Barry Clayton]
Woe to you, o'er Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is Six hundred and sixty six

[Verse 1: Bruce Dickinson]
I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe that what I saw
That night was real and not just fantasy?
Just what I saw, in my old dreams, were they
Reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?
Cause in my dream, it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

YEAH!

[Verse 2]
The night was black, was no use holding back
Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me?
In the mist, dark figures move and twist
Was this all for real or just some kind of hell?

[Chorus 1]
666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

[Verse 3]
Torches blazed and sacred chants were phrased
As they start to cry, hands held to the sky
In the night, the fires burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done

[Chorus 2]
666 the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight

[Guitar solo: Dave Murray]
[Guitar solo: Adrian Smith]

[Verse 4]
This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
They seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes

[Chorus 3]
666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me

[Verse 5]
I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course

This song was the band’s second single from their 1982 album. It was influenced by the 1978 horror movie Damien: Omen II, which is about the 13-year-old Antichrist. It is one of Iron Maiden’s most famous and one of heavy metal’s most recognizable songs.

Basically, this song is about a dream. It’s not about devil worship.

-Steve Harris

The song starts with a quote from the Bible, read by British actor Barry Clayton; the first lines from Revelations 12:12 and the last three from Revelations 13:8. The band wanted the horror film actor Vincent Price to read this intro, but he wanted more money than they were willing to pay.

During the recording of the album, there were rumors floating about that supernatural occurrences had been going on in the studio, such as lights flipping on and off, strange noises and visions of Satan. This was used as evidence that Satan and the Antichrist had a hand in making this. Many preachers and enemies of rock music were led to believe Maiden were Satanists, because of the song’s title. Steve Harris called them mad. They completely got the wrong end of the stick. They obviously hadn’t read the lyrics. They just wanted to believe all that rubbish about us being Satanists.

Bruce Dickinson’s high-pitched scream at the end of the intro was a result of producer Martin Birch forcing the band to replay the intro several times. Dickinson became so fed up with the constant repeats that he emitted the scream out of frustration, and it fit so well that the band decided to keep it.

"They completely got the wrong end of the stick. They obviously hadn’t read the lyrics. They just wanted to believe all that rubbish about us being Satanists. Basically, this song is about a dream. It’s not about devil worship."

Steve Harris, composer of the song, about people complaining about the supposed satanic meaning of the song.



@henriquemuchenski1042

"Woe to you, Oh Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding reckon
The number of the beast for it is a human number
its number is six hundred and sixty six. "

I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think to
Get the memories from my mind

What did I see, can i believe
That what I saw that night was real
and not just fantasy

Just what I saw, in my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind
staring back at me

'Cause in my dreams, it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings
me to despair

The night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me
In the mist, dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real, or just some kind of hell
666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry
Hands held to the sky
In the night, the fires are burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done
666 the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight

This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real or just some crazy dream
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
They seem to mesmerize... can't avoid their eyes
666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me

I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take it's course



@NicolaiHygino

[Spoken intro: Barry Clayton]
Woe to you, o'er Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six

[Verse 1: Bruce Dickinson]
I left alone, my mind was blank
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind
What did I see? Can I believe that what I saw
That night was real and not just fantasy?
Just what I saw, in my old dreams, were they
Reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?
Cause in my dreams, it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

YEAH!

[Verse 2]
The night was black, was no use holding back
Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me?
In the mist, dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real or just some kind of hell?

[Chorus 1]
666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

[Verse 3]
Torches blazed and sacred chants were phrased
As they start to cry, hands held to the sky
In the night, the fires are burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done

[Chorus 2]
666 the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight

[Guitar solo: Dave Murray]
[Guitar solo: Adrian Smith]

[Verse 4]
This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
They seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes

[Chorus 3]
666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me

[Verse 5]
I'm coming back, I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire, I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course



@samw.1608

To anyone who's curious as to which films are featured in this video here is a list:

Nosferatu (1922)
One Million B.C. (1940)
Return of the Vampire (1944)
The Crimson Ghost (1946)
I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957)
How To Make a Monster (1958)
The Screaming Skull (1958)
War of the Colossal Beast (1958)
The Angry Red Planet (1960)
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
The Devil Rides Out (1968)



@gingerbeer3550

Woe to you, oh Earth and Sea, for the Devil sends the beast with wrath,
Because he knows the time is short...
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number,
Its number is Six hundred and sixty six."

I left alone, my mind was blank.
I needed time to think, to get the memories from my mind.

What did I see?
Can I believe that what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy.

Just what I saw in my old dreams
Were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?

'Cause in my dreams it's always there
The evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

The night was black, was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me
In the mist dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real, or just some kind of hell?

666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry hands held to the sky
In the night the fires are burning bright
The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done

666 the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight

This can't go on I must inform the law
Can this still be real or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes
They seem to mesmerise, can't avoid their eyes

666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me

I'm coming back
I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire
I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course



All comments from YouTube:

@dontgetmarried

One of the best examples of what an incredible bassist can add to a song

@DarkUmbraSolo

Same with The Trooper

@Aleinikov65

STEVE HARRIS !!

@mattg432

Like writing the song in the first place.

@williamgalland8001

And singer too

@HeeHawCapital

Mr. Harris is considered one of the best at the time.

22 More Replies...

@The_Outlaw_Cad_Bane

The Bible really is just a gold mine for heavy metal song writers.

@Mart_7512

Heavy metal is classical and blues combined with Post-19th century machines.

@thomashoppe893

Right, "Hallowed be thy Name!" Sounds a little like a white-metal Song.

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