Epilogue
Richard Burton; Jeff Wayne Lyrics
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The people scattered over the country
desperate, leaderless, starved
the thousands who had fled by sea
including the one most dear to me
all would return the pulse of life
growing stronger and stronger would beat again
the question of another attack from Mars
causes universal concern
Is our planet safe?
or is this time of peace merely a reprieve?
It may be that across the immensity of space,
they have learned their lessons
and even now await their opportunity
Perhaps the future belongs not to us
but to the Martians
In Jeff Wayne's song Epilogue, Richard Burton narrates the end of the Martian invasion of Earth. The lyrics describe the aftermath of the invasion which left the world in chaos. The torment was finally over, but the people were scattered, desperate, leaderless, and starved. However, there was hope since even the thousands who had fled by sea, including the one most dear to Burton, would return. The pulse of life would beat stronger again. Despite life returning to normal, people were concerned about another Martian attack as nobody knew for sure if our planet is safe. It is possible that across the immensity of space, the Martians have learned their lessons and await their opportunity. The future might not belong to us, but to the Martians.
Line by Line Meaning
The torment was ended
The torment caused by the Martian invasion has finally come to an end.
The people scattered over the country
The people were forced to flee and scatter across the country to escape from the Martian invasion.
desperate, leaderless, starved
Due to the chaos caused by the invasion, the people were left without leaders and suffered from hunger and desperation.
the thousands who had fled by sea
Thousands of people had to flee by sea to escape from the Martian attack.
including the one most dear to me
The artist's loved one was among the thousands who had to flee by sea to save themselves from the Martians.
all would return the pulse of life
The people who fled would return to their homes, and the life force of the planet would gradually come back to normalcy.
growing stronger and stronger would beat again
The planet's pulse of life would grow stronger and stronger, and things would start becoming normal again.
As life returns to normal,
The planet slowly begins to stabilize and re-establish the normalcy we had before the Martian invasion.
the question of another attack from Mars
Despite the end of the invasion, there is still a fear among people regarding the possibility of another attack from Martians.
causes universal concern
This fear has resulted in a widespread sense of concern and worry.
Is our planet safe?
People wonder if the planet is still safe or if it is vulnerable to further attacks.
or is this time of peace merely a reprieve?
People are uncertain whether this moment of peace indicates a permanent end to the Martian threat or just a temporary pause.
It may be that across the immensity of space,
The possibility exists that Martians have learnt from their previous defeat and could mount an even more devastating attack from across the vastness of space.
they have learned their lessons
The Martians may have gained knowledge and insight about Earth and its defenses during their first assault.
and even now await their opportunity
Martians may bide their time, waiting until the right moment to strike again.
Perhaps the future belongs not to us
The final line suggests that humans may not be the eventual rulers of the planet and that we may be in danger of losing control to the Martians.
but to the Martians
The line implies that the future and the power may eventually be with the Martians, who have already succeeded in invading and attacking Earth with their superior technology.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFF WAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TGM_Productions
Okay, mostly talking about the original novel here.
What would happen next?
Realistically now.
How much of the geopolitical climate of Earth in the early 20th century would be changed?
What about The Martians’ second attack?
How much would humanity advance with Alien technology? IF they could even figure it out?
A lot of questions indeed.
@TGM_Productions
@S_H_v1.0.8
Given how much of a superpower Germany was at the time (also keep in mind Britain would be weaker following the book invasion)-
Yea I can see The Martians invading Germany first in a second invasion— that would turn into a long bitter war.
(The Martians could send reinforcements every two years - when Mars & earth are in opposition.)
So it’s likely they’d send a TON of Martians to build up defences and keep occupation of secured land.
There’s an opposition between Earth & Mars in January, 1914.
So I can imagine that’s when a second Martian invasion (great Martian war) could begin.
World War I would instead… be The Great Martian War.
@rowanclark9364
Love how the beating drum in the background symbolises the heart of London coming back together
@TheAlienFan
Richard Burton was certainly the right person as the journalist. Fantastic work
@alexc8114
Anyone else feel like this should be playing coming out of Lockdown?
"The threat of another attack was of universal concern"
@D3sdinova
Thats been the case continuously since 2019.
@axjagfilms
Ukraine currently happening as of 3/2/2022
@goobi3780
I love the uncertainty of the future, the fear after this would be immense
@sdhubbard
I think it would be less like 9/11 and more like the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union level of trauma.
@willdragongaming692
love it
@bernier42
This track and its triumphant music hit differently, listening to it after getting my first COVID vaccine dose.
@bernier42
Listening on repeat again, following my second dose.