Death In the Afternoon
Rage Lyrics


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Harold Walker was a banker
He drove a Mercerdes-Benz
He was a well respected, rich, young man
He'd got a house in the country
He was a member of the club and
His girlfriend Diana was so sweet

Larry Smith was Harry's schoolmate
He has always been a warrior
Never he had money or a job

Wednesday afternoon, 5 p.m.
It happened on the new built highway
Harry was a bit diverted and

So he lost the control of his car
And crashed into a truck
And he hadn't a chance, he had never a chance
Death in the afternoon,

Larry was the first to come along
As he saw his old mate Harry
The cheque-cards covered with blood,
He knew, he was the richer one of both

Harry had a million dollars
But he'd lived too short
And he hadn't a chance, he had never a chance
Death in the afternoon

Death in the afternoon
It could come very soon




Death in the afternoon
Your coffin has no pockets...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rage’s song “Death in the Afternoon” narrate the story of two friends, Harold Walker and Larry Smith, who are from different backgrounds. Harold is a wealthy banker who has everything he could have ever wanted, including a Mercedes, a house in the country, and a girlfriend named Diana. On the other hand, Larry has always been a warrior but has never had money or a job. The lyrics describe how one afternoon, Harold is driving distractedly on a newly-built highway, loses control of his car, and crashes into a truck, leaving him with no chance for survival. Larry is the first to come upon the accident, and he recognizes his friend’s facial expression, covered with blood, that Harry is no longer alive. The lyrics then express how Harry had lived life to the fullest with everything money could buy but unfortunately, he died young, and the saying “your coffin has no pockets” comes to mind.


The song explores themes of mortality, greed, and materialism. Harold had everything, but in the end, it did not matter since death took him away. The lyrics of the song also suggest that death can come at any moment, even in broad daylight, and we should focus on what is truly important in life rather than material possessions. The lyrics can be interpreted as a cautionary tale to those who value money and materialism over personal relationships, friends, and family.


Line by Line Meaning

Harold Walker was a banker
Harry was a banker named Harold Walker


He drove a Mercedes-Benz
Harry used to drive a Mercedes-Benz car


He was a well respected, rich, young man
Harry was a young man who was rich and well-respected


He'd got a house in the country
Harry owned a house in the country


He was a member of the club and
Harry was a member of a club


His girlfriend Diana was so sweet
Harry had a girlfriend named Diana who was very sweet


Larry Smith was Harry's schoolmate
Larry Smith and Harry were schoolmates


He has always been a warrior
Larry was a fighter


Never he had money or a job
Larry never had money or a job


Wednesday afternoon, 5 p.m.
The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon at 5 pm


It happened on the new built highway
The accident took place on a newly constructed highway


Harry was a bit diverted and
Harry got distracted while driving


So he lost the control of his car
As a result, he lost control of his car


And crashed into a truck
Harry's car collided with a truck


And he hadn't a chance, he had never a chance
Harry had no chance of survival


Death in the afternoon,
Harry died in the afternoon


Larry was the first to come along
Larry was the first person to arrive at the accident site


As he saw his old mate Harry
He saw his old friend, Harry


The cheque-cards covered with blood,
Harry's check cards were covered in blood


He knew, he was the richer one of both
Larry realized he was richer than Harry


Harry had a million dollars
Harry owned a million dollars


But he'd lived too short
Unfortunately, Harry didn't live long enough


And he hadn't a chance, he had never a chance
Even Larry knew Harry didn't have a chance of surviving


Death in the afternoon
Harry died in the afternoon


It could come very soon
Death could come suddenly to anyone at any time


Your coffin has no pockets...
No matter the money you have or the richness you've experienced, it doesn't matter once you're dead.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER PEAVY WAGNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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