Buried Alive
KITCHEN - Black Sabbath Lyrics
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Once upon a time
You're running from temptation
You got lost
And found that you don't
Belong to anybody
You're all the same
Just another number
Whenever you don't behave
Someone got the doctor
He knows what to do
Throw some bones and mumble
The devil's inside of you
It might be contagious
It might change the plan
Get back in your tiny boxes
Even if you can't
We say you can
Join the congregation
Everybody's got to get in line and
We never justify
The choir sings a never-ending lie
Pre-chorus:
When you thought you were free
You didn't need a reason
No reason to survive
Chorus:
As the big door closes
And you waiting for the nail
Somebody tell the world
You're buried alive
Once upon a nightmare
Once upon a time
You're running from tomorrow
You got lost
And found that another
Day has turned to ashes
Taken by the wind
Frozen seeds of sorrow
Never to begin
Join the celebration
And everybody's got to get in line and
We never justify
The choir sings a never-ending lie
Pre-chorus:
When you thought you were free
You did not need a reason
No reason to survive
Chorus:
As the big door closes
And you waiting for the mail
Somebody tell the world
You're buried alive
One more nightmare
Just one more time
Join the congregation
Everybody get in line
Celebration
The choir sings a lie
As you call
The hammer falls
And no one hears you cry
I'm buried alive
The lyrics to "Buried Alive" by Black Sabbath seem to tell a story about feeling trapped and controlled by societal expectations and conformity.
In the first verse, the singer describes a sense of being lost and not belonging to anyone. They feel like just another number, easily discarded or erased if they don't conform to societal norms. The mention of running from temptation implies that there are pressures or desires pulling them away from fitting in and following the expected path.
The mention of a doctor in the second verse suggests that there are forces at play trying to fix or suppress their individuality. The bones being thrown and mumbling could symbolize attempts to perform rituals, maybe even suppressing their true selves. The line "the devil's inside of you" suggests that this desire for independence and nonconformity is often seen as a negative thing.
The chorus brings attention to the sense of being metaphorically buried alive. The "big door closing" and waiting for the nail symbolizes the feeling of being trapped and powerless. The plea to "tell the world" suggests a desire to be seen and heard, to break free from this suffocating situation.
The repetition of the phrase "once upon a nightmare, once upon a time" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of this struggle. The singer feels like they are constantly running from tomorrow, always lost and unable to truly start anew. The mention of frozen seeds of sorrow implies that opportunities for growth and change have been stifled.
In the final verse, there is a call to join the congregation and get in line, suggesting a pressure to conform and join the rest of society in its prescribed way of being. The choir singing a never-ending lie implies that the messages and expectations being presented are false or deceptive.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone feeling trapped, controlled, and buried alive by societal expectations and pressures to conform. There is a sense of frustration and a longing to break free and be seen as an individual, rather than just another number in the system.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a nightmare
In a dark and unsettling dream, full of fear and despair
Once upon a time
In a past period, a long time ago
You're running from temptation
Escaping from the allure and temptation that can lead you astray
You got lost
Became disoriented and unsure of your path
And found that you don't
Realized that you do not
Belong to anybody
Have no sense of belonging or connection with anyone
You're all the same
All individuals are identical and indistinguishable
Just another number
Merely a statistical figure, devoid of personal significance
Cross it out
Erase or eliminate that number
Whenever you don't behave
Whenever you do not conform to expected norms or act appropriately
Someone got the doctor
Someone sought the assistance of a medical professional
He knows what to do
He possesses the expertise and knowledge to take appropriate action
Throw some bones and mumble
Perform mystical rituals and incantations
The devil's inside of you
You are possessed by evil or malevolent forces
It might be contagious
It has the potential to spread and infect others
It might change the plan
It has the ability to alter the intended course of events
Get back in your tiny boxes
Return to the confined and restricted spaces you were in before
Even if you can't
Even if it is difficult or challenging for you to do so
We say you can
We assert and insist that you are capable of it
Join the congregation
Become part of the obedient and compliant group
Everybody's got to get in line and
Everyone must conform and follow a predetermined path
We never justify
We never provide valid reasons or explanations
The choir sings a never-ending lie
The chorus sings a continuous falsehood or deception
When you thought you were free
When you believed you had escaped from constraints
You didn't need a reason
You did not require an explanation or justification
No reason to survive
No purpose or motivation to continue living
As the big door closes
As a significant and final barrier shuts
And you waiting for the nail
And you are anticipating the final blow or downfall
Somebody tell the world
Someone inform the world
You're buried alive
You are metaphorically trapped and confined, with no escape
You're running from tomorrow
You are evading the future and its uncertainties
You got lost
Became disoriented and unsure of your path
And found that another
And discovered that yet another
Day has turned to ashes
A once hopeful day has become ruined and lifeless
Taken by the wind
Taken away and destroyed by the uncontrollable forces of life
Frozen seeds of sorrow
Emotions of grief and sadness that are trapped and unexpressed
Never to begin
Never given the opportunity to flourish or develop
Join the celebration
Participate in the collective jubilation
And everybody's got to get in line
And everybody must conform and follow a predetermined path
When you thought you were free
When you believed you had escaped from constraints
You did not need a reason
You did not require an explanation or justification
No reason to survive
No purpose or motivation to continue living
As the big door closes
As a significant and final barrier shuts
And you waiting for the mail
And you are anticipating communication or information that will never arrive
Somebody tell the world
Someone inform the world
You're buried alive
You are metaphorically trapped and confined, with no escape
One more nightmare
Yet another horrifying dream
Just one more time
Only one more occurrence
Join the congregation
Become part of the obedient and compliant group
Everybody get in line
Everyone must conform and follow a predetermined path
Celebration
A joyful and festive occasion
The choir sings a lie
The chorus sings a falsehood or deception
As you call
While you cry out
The hammer falls
The final blow or downfall occurs
And no one hears you cry
And nobody listens or pays attention to your anguish
I'm buried alive
I am metaphorically trapped and confined, with no escape
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEEZER BUTLER, RONNIE JAMES DIO, TONY IOMMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind