Terminus
Skyclad Lyrics

Megeddo's Gateway.
The beginning of the song, setting the stage for the apocalyptic story.

Hunter of the silent darkness--
A metaphor for the weapon of destruction being used in the song.

Mighty steel leviathan,
Another description of the weapon, emphasizing its power.

Rise from your nocturnal vigil--
Calling forth the weapon to begin its destructive mission.

'Davey Jones' the time has come.
Referring to the mythological figure Davey Jones, suggesting that the end of the world is near.

Send spitting fires and roaring thunder--instigate Poseidon's wrath,
The weapon is described as invoking the anger of the god of the sea and causing destruction.

Unleash the terrors of the deep uncertain of the aftermath.
The consequences of the weapon's use are unknown and potentially catastrophic.

Attack is the best form of defense--fingers on a keyboard play,
A commentary on the use of technology and how it can be both aggressive and defensive.

When genocide's a numbered sequence death is but a breath away.
A warning that genocide, viewed as a cold, calculated process, is still capable of causing mass death.

I. I hear sirens screaming--
The first chorus of the song, describing the sounds of chaos and disaster.

C. See lightning rip the sky,
Another description of the destructive forces at work.

B. Be afraid my darling--
The singer's plea for their loved one to join them in the face of imminent death.

M. Embrace me as we die.
The desire to die together rather than face the end alone.

Dark clouds gather (tensions mounting)--current tides are making waves,
The worsening situation is described metaphorically as a storm on the horizon.

They navigate a sea of tears--above them storms in tea-cups rage.
The people affected by the weapon's use are lost and adrift in a world of chaos.

Only Jonah 'neath the ocean witnesses the damage done,
A reference to the biblical story of Jonah, but suggesting that no one can escape the destruction.

But can't turn back the hands of time--none can unload a smoking gun.
The damage has been done and no one can undo it.

The lords of Fleet Street speculate--as noble statesmen mediate,
The media and politicians are portrayed as being powerless in the face of the weapon's destructive power.

They tread on thin ice cracked by hate--one slip could spell disaster.
The fragile nature of the situation is emphasized, with the possibility of everything falling apart at any moment.

We gave you power to decide--but now you gamble with our lives,
The people in charge are being accused of using their power irresponsibly.

We've all been taken for a ride--next stop the hereafter.
The people are depicted as being helpless and powerless, with their fate sealed due to the actions of those in power.

These implements of science-friction--
A reference to the technological weapons being used in the song.

Are the pawns of power play,
The weapons are being used as instruments of political power.

By splitting hairs and splitting atoms--
A reference to the scientific principles behind nuclear weapons.

They'll kill us all the 'new-clear' way.
A play on words, with 'new-clear' referencing both the new nature of the weapons being used and their destructive power.

Entice us through Megeddo's gateway on this final exodus,
The people are being lured towards their doom by the promise of something better on the other side.

As flesh is turned to ash and vapour by the fires of 'terminus.'
The final destruction caused by the weapons, leaving nothing behind but ash and vapor.