Planet Hell
Nightwish - Topic Lyrics

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Denying the lying
A million children fighting
For lives in strife
For hope beyond the horizon

A dead world
A dark path
Not even crossroads to choose from

All the blood red
Carpets before me
Behold this fair creation of God!

My only wish to leave behind
All the days of the Earth
This everyday hell of my kingdom come

The 1st rock thrown again
Welcome to hell, little Saint
Mother Gaia in slaughter
Welcome to paradise, Soldier

My 1st cry never ending
All life is to fear for life
You fool, you wanderer
You challenged the gods and lost

Save yourself a penny for the ferryman
Save yourself and let them suffer
In hope
In love
This world ain't ready for The Ark
Save yourself a penny for the ferryman
Save yourself and let them suffer
In hope

In love
Mankind works in mysterious ways

Save yourself a penny for the ferryman.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nightwish's "Planet Hell" vividly illustrate the suffering and destruction wrought by humankind's cruelty and arrogance. The opening lines of the song lambast those who deny the suffering of millions of children in war-torn regions. The lines "all the blood-red carpets before me, behold this fair creation of God" highlight the stark contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the gruesome realities of war and violence.

The song's chorus is a heart-wrenching lament from someone who is desperate to leave behind the "everyday hell" of life on earth. The lyrics speak to the desire for salvation and the hopelessness that arises from facing the bleakness of mortality. The lines "my first cry never ending, all life is to fear for life" are particularly poignant and speak to the existential angst that many people feel.

The second half of the song features a shift in tone, with the lyrics becoming more accusatory and bitter. The lines "you challenged the gods and lost" are a potent reminder of the hubris and folly of those who seek to dominate the natural world. The chorus's refrain about saving money for the ferryman emphasizes the inescapable reality of death and the fleeting nature of human existence.

Overall, "Planet Hell" is a searing indictment of the cruelty, greed, and arrogance that have led humankind to inflict so much suffering on other people and the natural world. It is a powerful reminder of the need for humility, empathy, and compassion.

Line by Line Meaning

Denying the lying
Refusing to believe the falsehoods

A million children fighting
One million children engaged in conflict

For lives in strife
For existence amidst struggle

For hope beyond the horizon
For a future that is promising

A dead world
A lifeless planet

A dark path
A journey of darkness

Not even crossroads to choose from
No choices available, no clear paths

All the blood red
All of the red blood

Carpets before me
Floors stained with blood

Behold this fair creation of God!
Look at the supposed beauty created by God

My only wish to leave behind
My desire to abandon