Brave New World
Jeff Wayne Lyrics


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Artilleryman: We're gonna build a whole new world for ourselves. Look, they clap eyes on us and we're dead, right? So, we gotta make a new life where they'll never find us. You know where? Underground. You should see it down there, hundreds of miles of drains, sweet and clean now after the rain, dark, quiet, safe. We can build houses and everything, start again from scratch. And what's so bad about living underground, eh? S'not been so great living up here, if you want my opinion.

Brave New World

Artilleryman
Take a look around you at the world we've come to know
Does it seem to be much more than a crazy circus show
Maybe from the madness, something beautiful will grow
In a brave new world, with just a handful of men,
We'll start... we'll start all over again!
All over again! All over again! All over again!

Artilleryman: We'll build shops and hospitals and barracks, right under their noses, right under their feet. Everything we need: banks, prisons and schools. We'll send scouting parties to collect books and stuff, and then like you we'll teach the kids. Not poems and rubbish; science, so we can get everything working! We'll build villages and towns, and... and we'll play each other at cricket! Listen, maybe one day we'll capture a fighting machine, eh, learn how to make 'em ourselves, and then: WALLOP! Our turn to do some wiping out! WHOOSH! With our heat ray! Whoosh! And them running and dying, beaten at their own game, man on top again!

Artilleryman
Now our domination of the earth is fading fast,
And out of the confusion a chance has come at last,
To build a better future from the ashes of the past,
In a brave new world, with just a handful of men,
We'll start all over again!

Look, man is born in freedom, but he soon becomes a slave,
In cages of convention from the cradle to the grave,
The weak fall by the wayside but the strong will be saved,
In a brave new world, with just a handful of men,
We'll start all over again!

I'm not trying to tell you what to be,
Oh no, oh no, not me...
But if mankind is to survive, the people life alive,
They're gonna have to build this world anew
And it's going to have to start with me and you... YES!

I'm not trying to tell you what to be,
Oh no, oh no, not me...
But if mankind is to survive, the people left alive,
They're gonna have to build this world anew
Yes and we will have to be the chosen few...

Just think of all the poverty, the hatred and the lies,
And imagine the destruction of all that you despise,
Slowly from the ashes the phoenix will arise,
In a brave new world, with just a handful of men
We'll start all over again!

Take a look around you at the world you've loved so well,
And bid the aging empire of man a last farewell
It may not sound like heaven but at least it isn't hell
It's a brave new world with just a handful of men,
We'll start, we'll start all over again!
All over again! All over again! All over again!
I'VE GOT A PLAN!

Artilleryman: Can't you just see it? Civilization starting all over again! A second chance! Heh- we'll even build a railway and tunnel to the coast, go there for our holidays! Nothing can stop men like us! I've made a start already. Come on down here and have a look.

In the cellar there was a tunnel scarcely ten yards long. It had taken him a week to dig. I could have dug that much in a day, and I suddenly had my first inkling of the gulf between his dreams and his power.

Artilleryman: It's doing the working and the thinking that wears a fellow out. I'm ready for a bit of a rest. How about a drink, eh? Nothing but champagne now I'm the boss.

We drank, and then he insisted upon playing cards. With our species on the edge of extermination, with no prospect but a horrible death, we actually played games. Later he talked more of his plan, but I saw flames flashing in the deep blue night, red weed glowing, tripod figures moving distantly, and I put down my champagne glass. I felt a traitor to my kind, and I knew I must leave this strange dreamer.

Artilleryman Take a look around you at the world we've come to know




Does it seem to be much more than a crazy circus show?
Maybe from the madness something beautiful will grow...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jeff Wayne's song, "Brave New World," as sung by the character Artilleryman, showcase his vision of creating a new world. The character expresses his disillusionment with the current world and expresses his desire to start afresh without any societal conventions or limitations. The idea is to build a new civilization underground, away from the prying eyes of the invaders. The lyrics show the desperation of people to start over and their attempt to create a world that is different from the one they've known, from scratch. Artilleryman's vision to rebuild a society based on science, logic and freedom rather than convention, hierarchy and slavery - is his motivation.


The central theme of the song is the possibility of creating something new amidst destruction, chaos and devastation. Artilleryman's vision is one of hope and optimism that suggests it's never too late to start anew. His plans involve the creation of a new society where science and logic are prized rather than convention and slavery. The song highlights the desperation that often accompanies an apocalyptic event, but it also offers hope that we can always strive to create something new even in the darkest of times.


Line by Line Meaning

Take a look around you at the world we've come to know
Observing the current state of our world, can you see anything beyond the chaos and confusion?


Does it seem to be much more than a crazy circus show?
Does it seem like there is any purpose to this madness?


Maybe from the madness, something beautiful will grow
Perhaps out of this chaos, something positive and hopeful can emerge


In a brave new world, with just a handful of men,
In the new world we're planning to build, there will only be a few of us


We'll start... we'll start all over again! All over again! All over again!
We will begin everything anew, from scratch


Now our domination of the earth is fading fast,
Humanity's reign over Earth is coming to an end


And out of the confusion a chance has come at last,
But out of the chaos comes an opportunity


To build a better future from the ashes of the past,
A chance to create a better future from the remnants of our old world


Look, man is born in freedom, but he soon becomes a slave,
Despite being born free, human beings often lose that freedom to the constraints of society


In cages of convention from the cradle to the grave,
Trapped in societal conventions from birth to death


The weak fall by the wayside but the strong will be saved,
Those who cannot adhere to societal conventions are left behind, but those who can survive


I'm not trying to tell you what to be,
I am not trying to dictate anyone's actions or beliefs


But if mankind is to survive, the people life alive,
If humanity is to continue existing, those who remain must take action


They're gonna have to build this world anew
We must create a new world from scratch


And it's going to have to start with me and you... YES!
This effort will begin with us, and we must be willing to take the lead


Just think of all the poverty, the hatred and the lies,
Think of all the negativity that permeates our current world


And imagine the destruction of all that you despise,
Imagine a world where everything you dislike is gone


Slowly from the ashes the phoenix will arise,
A new, better world will emerge from the remnants of the old


Take a look around you at the world you've loved so well,
Consider the world you have enjoyed throughout your life


And bid the aging empire of man a last farewell
Say goodbye to the decaying human society we have known


It may not sound like heaven but at least it isn't hell
The new world may not be perfect, but it will be an improvement on the current world


I'VE GOT A PLAN!
I have a plan to create this new world


Can't you just see it? Civilization starting all over again!
Can't you envision a new society taking shape?


A second chance!
This is our opportunity to start anew


Nothing can stop men like us!
Our determination and resilience will overcome any obstacle


It's doing the working and the thinking that wears a fellow out.
Thinking and working can be exhausting


I'm ready for a bit of a rest. How about a drink, eh?
I am ready to take a break and have a drink


Nothing but champagne now I'm the boss.
I can now enjoy champagne since I am the leader


With our species on the edge of extermination, with no prospect but a horrible death, we actually played games.
Despite our dire circumstances, we found solace in playing games


Later he talked more of his plan, but I saw flames flashing in the deep blue night, red weed glowing, tripod figures moving distantly, and I put down my champagne glass.
As he continued discussing his plan, I was reminded of the destruction and chaos that had surrounded us


I felt a traitor to my kind, and I knew I must leave this strange dreamer.
I felt like I was betraying my own species, and I realized I must distance myself from this unrealistic dreamer




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY OSBORNE, JEFF WAYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@lorrainecouch348

ARE YOU LOT FOR REAL???
GHOSTS ON MARS... THE MARTIANS.
THIS PLANET COULD HAVE LOST CORE MASS AND BE MOTHER TO MARS... A MOON.... WHICH MUSK WANTS TO TERRAFORM A MOON!?!?
A GIANT RED RUSTY MOON... WHICH WILL REACT BADLY TO WATER AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION!!!!!
MY RESEARCH IS SOLID!!!!
AMERICA AND CO HAVE BEEN CREATING ALL THINGS FLYING SORCERY FOR ABSOLUTE AGES.
THOSE DISCO BALL STARS TWINKLING AWAY ARE SATELLITES... ARMED WITH LASERS AND ALL THINGS DIRECT ENERGY WEAPONS.
H.G. WELLS WAS A VISIONARY... HE PREDICTED STUFF.
HIS EPITAPH IS SOMETHING LIKE:
"I TOLD YOU SO. YOU DAMNED FOOLS"
HIS DAMNED WAS IN ITALICS AND HE SAID IT WAS INTENTIONAL.

GET A GRIP



@druunderwood5602

@neil73" Its doing the working and the thinking that wears a fellow out"

"Morlock Charter"

(1) Schools in Prison
?
Feel free to add your own, lets see where this go's?

Cricket Cucumber Sandwiches & Tea Obviously.



All comments from YouTube:

@johncole9121

The older I get, the more confidently I can say, this song is just incredible.

@peterbrecker784

Well said.

@rabidbigdog

The Super Audio CD 5-channel version is just extraordinary. Along with Dark Side Of The Moon, I purchased a (cheap now) system just to hear it.

@Minillus

It's the best one in the album lmo

@Glombandtomb1

This is the best of the best

@SomewhatDapperExtraterrestrial

I love how the song really drags the audience into the Artillerymans fantasies with how optimistic it sounds. It perfecty captures how the protagonist must have felt.

@frederikklotzskov9673

And how disappointed he feels when he sees the little progress he's actually made

@SunnyAznable

I love how many of the commenters have missed this- the theme and point of the song - in their analysis. Well put.

@milliondollarmistake

I find it hilarious that this guy gets a whole 12 minute ballad dedicated to his dream and it just ends with the protagonist calling the guy crazy and leaving

@abigohobgoo7455

@MillionDollarMistake same.

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