The subtitle for this track is sometimes listed as “Including ‘March for No Reason’ and ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow,’” though it’s not clear which part is which.
Epitaph
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh
But I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Between the iron gates of fate
The seeds of time were sown
And watered by the deeds of those
Who know and who are known
Knowledge is a deadly friend
If no one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind, I see
Is in the hands of fools
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl, a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh
But I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Crying, crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Yes, I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
Crying
The lyrics to King Crimson's song "Epitaph" are quite prophetic and offer commentary on our existence as human beings. The song suggests that the wall on which the prophets wrote is cracking at the seams, referring to the deterioration of our societal structures and the crumbling of our institutions. The "instruments of death" are also referenced, painting a picture of a world that is dangerous and destructive. Despite the negativity, there is a hint of hope as the sunlight brightly gleams upon these things.
The song then explores the inner turmoil of every person as they try to make sense of the world around them. The line "When every man is torn apart with nightmares and with dreams" speaks to the idea that everyone has different fears and desires that keep them up at night. There is also a plea for recognition of these struggles, asking if anyone will lay the laurel wreath when silence drowns the screams.
The chorus of the song is where the tone shifts from despair to acceptance. The singer acknowledges that confusion will be their epitaph, and paints a picture of crawling along a cracked and broken path. However, there is still a glimmer of hope as they sing "if we make it, we can all sit back and laugh". The final lines of the song come full circle, with the singer expressing their fear that they will be crying tomorrow. It's a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
The wall on which the prophets wrote
The messages from the wise people of the past are losing their strength.
Is cracking at the seams
These messages are falling apart and losing their power.
Upon the instruments of death
Warfare is shining brightly in the sun, proclaiming death and destruction.
The sunlight brightly gleams
Despite the doom, there is still beauty in the world.
When every man is torn apart
When people are struggling and in pain.
With nightmares and with dreams
With both terrifying and hopeful thoughts occupying our minds.
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
Will nobody come forward to honor the fallen and bring peace?
When silence drowns the screams
When it seems like nobody is speaking up about the pain and suffering around them.
Confusion will be my epitaph
The artist feels they will be remembered for their confusion and lack of understanding.
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
As the artist moves forward despite a difficult and uncertain journey.
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh
If we succeed, we can look back and find humor in our small struggles.
But I fear, tomorrow, I'll be crying
But despite this hope, the artist still fears more pain and sadness in the future.
Between the iron gates of fate
Referring to the boundaries and limitations of life that we must all face.
The seeds of time were sown
The passage of time has begun and will continue without regard for our desires.
And watered by the deeds of those who know and who are known
Time is affected by the actions of those who have understanding and influence.
Knowledge is a deadly friend
Having knowledge can be dangerous and isolating because it reveals harsh truths.
If no one sets the rules
Without guidance and order, chaos will reign.
The fate of all mankind, I see
The singer can sense the future of humanity.
Is in the hands of fools
But fears that the future is in the hands of those who are foolish and misguided.
Crying, crying
Reinforcing the artist's fear and sense of sorrow.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Greg Lake, Ian Mcdonald, Michael Rex Giles, Peter John Sinfield, Robert Fripp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielmaldonado807
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it we can all sit back and laugh
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Between the iron gates of fate
The seeds of time were sown
And watered by the deeds of those
Who knows and who are known
Knowledge is a deadly friend
If no one sets the rules
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools
The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
When silence drowns the screams?
Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl a cracked and broken path
If we make it we can all sit back and laugh
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying
Crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Yes, I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Crying
@CSemperFi135
Ah, yes. My favorite song: "Eulogy," by "Emperor Crimson."
@derism_
copyright go brrrr lol
@michaelmukti7637
Is this a JoJo reference
@Emporio_of_Light
@@michaelmukti7637 no, japanese copyright removed the name king crimson
@Emporio_of_Light
@SPINE BONG you missed the joke oof
@GIR177
To be fair, this is one of the better localization name changes, along with Made in Heaven --> Maiden Heaven.
@tecno_gamer4308
Even King Crimson cannot skip this song.
@user-dg5pm9jb8q
no blues band is kingcrimson🥰😃♪☆!
@lucrece4563
I came for JoJo I stayed for the song
@user-dg5pm9jb8q
kingcrimson🥰isnorock'n'rollband👏🙌😃🤘👌・