Cemetery Gates
Pantera Lyrics

Reverend, reverend
Addressing a clergyman, possibly in blame for some disconcerting occurrence

Is this some conspiracy?
Asking if there is an organized scheme behind what's happening

Crucified for no sins
Being punished unfairly

An image beneath me
Having a distorted perception of reality

Lost within our plans for life
Feeling aimless and uncertain about the future

It all seems so unreal
Having difficulty coming to terms with a situation

I'm a man cut in half in this world
Feeling incomplete or not whole

Left in my misery
Feeling hopeless and alone

Reverend, he turned to me
Continuing the conversation with the clergyman

Without a tear in his eye
Appearing unfazed and emotionless

Nothing new for him to see
Having seen similar situations before

I didn't ask him why
Choosing to remain unaware or not wanting to discuss the situation further

I will remember
Reflecting on past memories

The love our souls had sworn to make
Recalling a deep connection and promise of commitment

Now I watch the falling rain
Engaging in introspection or reflection

All my mind can see now is your
Only being able to think about memories and the past

Well, I guess you took my youth
Attributing blame for a loss of innocence or naivety

And gave it all away
Feeling like someone else was responsible for a loss or sacrifice

Like the birth of a new-found joy
Viewing a change or transition as something positive

This love would end in rage
Knowing a relationship ended in anger or conflict

And when she died I couldn't cry
Being unable to express emotions or grief after a loss

The pride was in my soul
Feeling a sense of ego or unwillingness to show vulnerability

You left me incomplete
Feeling like something or someone is missing after a loss

All alone as the memories now unfold
Experiencing loneliness and introspection while thinking about the past

Believe the word
Encouraging trust in something or someone

I will unlock my door
Committing to making a change or moving on

And pass the cemetery gates
Symbolically overcoming a personal obstacle or challenge

Sometimes when I'm alone I wonder aloud
Thinking out loud or introspecting

If you're watching over me
Questioning the presence of someone or something in one's life

Some place far abound
Feeling distant from someone or something

I must reverse my life
Acknowledging a need for change or personal growth

I can't live in the past
Making a conscious effort to move on from past experiences

Then set my soul free
Desiring liberation or release from negative thoughts or emotions

Belong to me at last
Desiring ownership or control over something or someone

Through all those complex years
Looking back on a lengthy and complicated period of time

I thought I was alone
Feeling isolated or disconnected from others

I didn't care to look around
Choosing not to pay attention to one's surroundings or circumstances

And make this world my own
Taking ownership or control over one's life and environment

And when she died I should've cried
Regretting a lack of emotional expression or vulnerability

And spared myself some pain
Realizing the importance of emotional processing and release

The way we were
Reflecting on a past way of life or relationship

The chance to save my soul
Feeling like a change or opportunity has the potential to improve one's life

And my concern is now in vain
Feeling hopeless or that efforts have been unsuccessful

Gates
Concluding the song with the repetition of the symbolic cemetery gates