Since the release of Death Magnetic, "Suicide & Redemption", claims the title for longest Metallica song at 9:57, although this new track is still shorter than "The Outlaw Torn (Unencumbered by Manufacturing Restrictions Version)" (10:48) which was released on "The Memory Remains" single.
"To Live is to Die" contains a few lyrics near the end of the song, coming in at 7:35, that were written by Burton and are spoken by James Hetfield. The song was written as a tribute to the band's bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed in a bus accident in 1986. The music consists of riffs Burton had written that had not been incorporated into songs prior to his death. The song title is a phrase that Burton was fond of.
Hetfield plays the second guitar solo during the slower mid-section of the song. "To Live Is to Die" is the last song Metallica released in which Burton has songwriting credit, and is the band's only instrumental track with Jason Newsted playing bass.
The song was first performed in its entirety live at the 30 Years of Metallica event in 2011. Prior to this event, the song was only played live during the "Damaged Justice Tour" but not in its entirety. They have played several parts of it combined with parts of other songs, most notably during the 1993 "Nowhere Else to Roam" tour as part of a medley with Orion and The Call of Ktulu.
To Live Is to Die
Metallica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These are the pale deaths
Which men miscall their lives
All this I cannot bear to witness any longer
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
Take me home
The lyrics of Metallica's song "To Live Is to Die" convey themes of mortality, guilt, and the search for redemption. The opening line, "When a man lies he murders some part of the world," suggests that dishonesty and deception can have destructive consequences not only for the liar, but for the community and environment around them. The next line, "These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives," speaks to the idea that many people lead unfulfilling or meaningless existences, perhaps due to societal pressures or personal failings.
The following line, "All this I cannot bear to witness any longer," suggests a sense of despair or hopelessness in the face of these issues. The singer may feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world's problems or burdened by their own guilt and mistakes. The final line, "Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home," implies a longing for inner peace or absolution. The singer may seek refuge in religion or spirituality as a means of finding purpose or release.
Line by Line Meaning
When a man lies he murders some part of the world
Whenever an individual deceives, he is intentionally or unintentionally destroying a fragment of the world, be it the trust of people around him or the integrity of a relationship.
These are the pale deaths
The consequences of lying or any other form of dishonesty may not be fatal in the traditional sense, but they are detrimental to one's character and soul, taking away from the vibrancy of life and leaving only a pale existence.
Which men miscall their lives
People often deceive themselves into believing that they are happy, successful or content, but in reality, they are missing the true essence of life by choosing to live it in a state of denial.
All this I cannot bear to witness any longer
The artist is fed up with the continuous cycle of deceit and inauthentic living and can no longer tolerate witnessing such behavior.
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
The 'kingdom of salvation' refers to a place or state of being where one can be free from the burden and consequences of dishonesty and falsehood. The artist is questioning why they cannot go to such a place.
Take me home
The singer is expressing a desire to be taken to a place of true salvation and liberation from the weight of living a false life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD LEE BURTON, JAMES ALAN HETFIELD, LARS ULRICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nino Amora
on No Remorse
im a dieharn fan of metalica