The Beginning Of The End
NIN Lyrics


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Down on your knees, you'll be left behind
This is the beginning
Watch what you think, they can read your mind
This is the beginning
I got my mark, see it in my eyes
This is the beginning
My reflection I don't recognize
This is the beginning

We think we climb so high
All up the backs we've condemned
We face our consequence
This is the beginning of the end

You wait your turn, you'll be last in line
This is the beginning
Get out the way, cause I'm getting mine
This is the beginning
God helps the ones that can help themselves
This is the beginning
May be too late as far as I can tell
This is the beginning

We think we've come so far
On all our lies we depend




We face our consequence
This is the beginning of the end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “The beginning of the end” by Nine Inch Nails speak of the beginning of a new era, a time when people will face the consequences of their actions. The song speaks of a time where people will face judgment for the things they’ve done and the lies they’ve built up. The opening lines speak of the need to submit to a higher power, to be humble and acknowledge one's errors before it's too late. The singer sees himself as a beacon of hope, albeit with a mark of some sort in his eyes that sets him apart from others.


The lines “We think we climb so high, All up the backs we’ve condemned” suggest that we’ve been too focused on our ambitions and failed to see the consequences of our actions. We've built our success on the suffering and exploitation of others. The chorus “We face our consequence, This is the beginning of the end” emphasizes that the time for all this is up, and we'll face the inevitable consequences of our selfishness, greed, and materialism.


The song speaks of a new era, one where the old systems will crumble and a new way of life will take place. The final lines “We think we’ve come so far, On all our lies we depend” drives home the message that as a society, we’ve been lying to ourselves about our progress and ‘achievements,’ thinking we've come a long way when we’ve not. In summary, “The beginning of the end” is an introspective and prophetic song that warns about the consequences of greed and lack of compassion.


Line by Line Meaning

Down on your knees, you'll be left behind
If you don't adapt and change, you'll be left behind by progress.


Watch what you think, they can read your mind
Be careful what you think and believe, as people can easily influence and control you and your thoughts.


I got my mark, see it in my eyes
I already have a sign of what's to come or what I'm capable of, and you can see it through my eyes.


My reflection I don't recognize
I don't recognize myself or who I've become, as I've changed from who I used to be.


You wait your turn, you'll be last in line
If you don't take action and seize opportunities, you'll always be behind and miss out.


Get out the way, cause I'm getting mine
I'm not going to let anyone hold me back, and I'm going after what's mine.


God helps the ones that can help themselves
Believing in yourself and taking initiative is what really helps you succeed in life.


May be too late as far as I can tell
It might be too late to change our ways or fix things, as we've gone too far down a harmful path.


We think we climb so high, All up the backs we've condemned
We often get ahead by stepping on and sacrificing others, without regard for the consequences.


We face our consequence, This is the beginning of the end
We will have to face the consequences of our actions, which will eventually lead to our downfall.


We think we've come so far, On all our lies we depend
We are often misguided by our own lies and illusions of progress, and depend on them to keep moving forward.


We face our consequence, This is the beginning of the end
We will have to face the consequences of our actions, which will eventually lead to our downfall.




Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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