Salem
Nothing More Lyrics
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From a humble house, with a cross burning slow?
You fear she will challenge your throne
So you dig the dirt and it's selling like gold
10 fingers 10 toes point, but not a damn one back at you
It's your fault you fall apart
The problem is in you
Or stone and rope to bind her soul
Sink or swim
And watch the truth drown below
You search the hills, swift and true
Look outside yourself, for it cannot be you
The town gathers and slander ensues
Not long 'til she's cursed, not long 'til she's through
You've done the work of a saint, but with the devil's hand
With cauldron gossip you pray, to restore this land
Holy and dead, holy and dead
Remember the plank?
You've got a tree instead
This will all be over soon
She's melting through
But your dark clouds still remain
So grab another one without a name
The lyrics of Nothing More's song Salem are a commentary on the power dynamics between those in authority and those who are othered, using the infamous Salem witch trials as a metaphor. The lines "Where does your misfortune grow? From a humble house, with a cross burning slow?" suggest that the source of misfortune is not the supposed witches, but rather the ignorance and fear of those in power. The fear of a challenge to the established order is palpable, as evidenced by the line "You fear she will challenge your throne", and so those in power create convenient scapegoats in order to maintain their control. "So you dig the dirt and it's selling like gold" refers to the way that fear can be commodified and used for profit, as evidenced by the way that people accused of witchcraft in Salem were often forced to pay for their own trials and executions.
The chorus of "Burn the witch/Or stone and rope to bind her soul/Sink or swim/And watch the truth drown below" is a stark reminder of just how merciless and brutal the treatment of those accused of witchcraft was. The second verse seems to suggest that the search for a scapegoat often comes from a place of inner turmoil and a refusal to self-examine. "You search the hills, swift and true/Look outside yourself, for it cannot be you" speaks to the way that those in power are often too blinded by their own prejudices and biases to see that the true source of their problems lies within. The line "Not long 'til she's cursed, not long 'til she's through" is a chilling reminder of just how easily society can turn against those deemed different or threatening.
Overall, Nothing More's song Salem is a powerful reminder of the dangers of demonizing the other and the importance of looking inward before using fear to justify persecution.
Line by Line Meaning
Where does your misfortune grow?
What is the true source of your misfortunes?
From a humble house, with a cross burning slow?
Is it possible that your misfortunes stem from your own prejudices and hatred?
You fear she will challenge your throne
Your fear is rooted in the possibility that someone might expose your wrongdoing or stand up to you.
So you dig the dirt and it's selling like gold
You resort to defamation, vilification, and character assassination.
10 fingers 10 toes point, but not a damn one back at you
You blame others for your problems, but you refuse to take responsibility for your own actions.
It's your fault you fall apart
You are the only one responsible for your own downfall.
The problem is in you
You are the problem and the solution lies within you.
Burn the witch
You seek to destroy those who challenge your authority or beliefs.
Or stone and rope to bind her soul
You use any means necessary to control and subjugate those who do not conform to your ideals.
Sink or swim
You give people an ultimatum: conform or suffer the consequences.
And watch the truth drown below
You suppress the truth and promote lies.
You search the hills, swift and true
You look for scapegoats and enemies outside yourself to blame.
Look outside yourself, for it cannot be you
You deny your own responsibility and refuse to examine your own flaws and weaknesses.
The town gathers and slander ensues
You weaponize the power of rumor and gossip to destroy your opponents.
Not long 'til she's cursed, not long 'til she's through
You take pleasure in other people's suffering and demise.
You've done the work of a saint, but with the devil's hand
You deceive yourself into thinking that you are doing good, but in reality, you are doing evil.
With cauldron gossip you pray, to restore this land
You use malicious rumors and unfounded accusations as a way to maintain your power and influence over others.
Holy and dead, holy and dead
You use religion as a way to legitimize your immoral actions and mask your true motives.
Remember the plank?
Do you remember the times when you were in the wrong but refused to acknowledge it?
You've got a tree instead
Now that you are the one in power, you use that power to destroy those who disagree with you.
This will all be over soon
Your reign of terror will not last forever.
She's melting through
Your victim will not be defeated by your lies and character assassination.
But your dark clouds still remain
Your inner turmoil and darkness will persist.
So grab another one without a name
You will continue to target and destroy anyone who opposes you, even if they are innocent and nameless.
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brenix
They're extremely talented and are easily one of my favorite bands. They jumped up into my most listened to so quick. Hard rock and of the like isn't really the mainstream anymore. I'm just thankful we're getting new music and even new bands showing up on the metal scene.
but yes, I'm sometimes upset that these bands will never get the appreciation they deserve. I think Nothing More won some awards, or were at least nominated for their last album, so they might be doing alright. Nonpoint, as an example, barely makes any waves and their last two albums have been amazing, and considering they've been around for 20 years, their reach is down right depressing, imo. It is what it is though. Again, just thankful they keep slamming out new jams.
I was just thinking last night, man Nothing More might be do for some new music, so I checked spotify to find this song released in 2020 not knowing it was an older song of theirs. I've not given their first album a listen for some reason... I learned of them from their second and was quite enthralled with The Stories We Tell Ourselves, I've just never gave it a listen. I had this song (salem ) on repeat all of last night, so I think I finally will give it a listen.
Hope their next album has a couple more songs along the same vein as 'Don't Stop', and 'Let 'em burn', the guy's vocals and range is incredible.
-signed, an avid nothing more fan.
Alex Harris
Where does your misfortune grow?
From a humble house
With a cross burning slow?
You fear she will challenge your throne
You dig the dirt
And it’s selling like gold
Ten fingers ten toes point
But not a damn one back at you
It's your fault, you fall apart
The problem is in you
Burn the witch
Or stone and rope to bind her soul (down, down, down)
Sink or swim
And watch the truth drown below (down, down, down)
You search the hills, swift and true
Look outside yourself
For it cannot be you
The town gathers and slander ensues
Not long ‘til she’s cursed
Not long ‘til she’s through
You've done the work of a saint
With the devil's hand
With cauldron gossip you pray
To restore this land
Oh holy and dead, holy and dead
Remember the plank?
You've got a tree instead
Burn the witch
Or stone and rope to bind her soul (down, down, down)
Sink or swim
And watch the truth drown below (down, down, down)
Burn the witch (ha ha ha)
Burn the witch (la ha ha)
This will all be over soon
She's melting through
(She's melting through)
But your, your dark clouds still remain
So grab another one without a name
(Without a name)
Burn the witch
Or stone and rope to bind her soul (down, down, down)
Sink or swim
And watch the truth drown below
Burn the witch
Or stone and rope to bind her soul (down, down, down)
Sink or swim
(Yeah)
Burn the witch (ha ha ha)
Burn the witch (la ha ha)
Burn
Hail hail the witch is dead
Which old witch?
The wicked witch
Hail hail the wicked witch is dead
Hail hail the witch is dead
Which old witch?
The wicked witch
Hail hail the wicked witch is dead
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NOTHING MORE
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Ghoulzzz
I love you guys!
Silly Lil’ Dawg
Love y’all 🖤
ThatGuy JC (JC's Truth)
Who else thinks they deserve more fame then they currently have?
ColdBox Penguin
Great band!
Brenix
They're extremely talented and are easily one of my favorite bands. They jumped up into my most listened to so quick. Hard rock and of the like isn't really the mainstream anymore. I'm just thankful we're getting new music and even new bands showing up on the metal scene.
but yes, I'm sometimes upset that these bands will never get the appreciation they deserve. I think Nothing More won some awards, or were at least nominated for their last album, so they might be doing alright. Nonpoint, as an example, barely makes any waves and their last two albums have been amazing, and considering they've been around for 20 years, their reach is down right depressing, imo. It is what it is though. Again, just thankful they keep slamming out new jams.
I was just thinking last night, man Nothing More might be do for some new music, so I checked spotify to find this song released in 2020 not knowing it was an older song of theirs. I've not given their first album a listen for some reason... I learned of them from their second and was quite enthralled with The Stories We Tell Ourselves, I've just never gave it a listen. I had this song (salem ) on repeat all of last night, so I think I finally will give it a listen.
Hope their next album has a couple more songs along the same vein as 'Don't Stop', and 'Let 'em burn', the guy's vocals and range is incredible.
-signed, an avid nothing more fan.
Dont Mind Me
Octane had given them with their song This is the Time as song of the year (#1 for 3 weeks), album of the year, and artist of the year in 2014. These dudes are fire
acolytetojippity
they're the closest i think we're likely to see to music similar to Fair to Midland.
Davidevan84
Saw them in concert with a bunch of bands that are more known. They were the best one live by a long shot.
BloodLeaf
This was the song that got my sister hooked when I showed her your CD. You played a show in virginia where my dad's band played before you guys. It was nice to meet you, you guys are the best out there. Been my favorite band ever since. Love how you've evolved, stay safe and rock on. "Fat kid" is my favorite song btw.