Intermission
Nine Black Alps Lyrics

The lyrics in Nine Black Alps's song Intermission discusses the destructive nature of war and the consequences it brings to people. The opening lines, "War brought us together, blew the world apart" describes the paradoxical existence of how conflicts across the globe can sometimes bring people together while also tearing their lives apart. The line "You handed me the dagger, aimed towards your heart" represents a metaphorical description of how many individuals are put in positions where they harm themselves and inflict harm on others. Furthermore, the phrase "And I was laughing, your eyes were televisions, high above the static, I waited for an intermission" depicts a sense of disconnection from reality and the reliance on escapism. The line "your eyes were televisions" implies that some are more invested in the war happening on screens rather than in reality. The singer then waits for the intermission, a break or a halt in the conflict, representing the hope for relief, even if it is temporary.

The second verse continues with the description of how people cope. "Paint it on the plaster, covered it with chalk, lined our mouths with alcohol, talked about the war that we were winning" implies a sense of desperation to forget and to create distractions. The line "It was on the television, the soldier boys were singing, and prayed for an intermission" implies that war advertisements are romanticized, and soldier boys are given positive traits while ignoring the real-life struggles they faced. The final verse switches to a plea for hope and happiness. "Some of you are happy, some of you are poor, some of you would kill yourselves just to be reborn. I hope you're happy, I hope your prayers are answered, I hope you feed your family when my ashes scatter" portrays an awareness of the different situations people face and the desire for a better future. The singer's hope is that everyone finds happiness even after he dies.