The Briggs,started off and were known as the band, I Decline. They released… Read Full Bio ↴The Briggs,started off and were known as the band, I Decline. They released an album called "Spy On Your Neighbors", but due to legal action by another band they had to change the band name. Thus was born, The Briggs, who are a punk rock band based out of Los Angeles, California. Fronted by brothers Joey and Jason LaRocca, this band draws from a variety of influences, but most noteably from the likes of UK artists such as The Clash, Cock Sparrer, Stiff Little Fingers, and Billy Bragg. The Briggs have spent the past few years on the heels of tours that have paired up with more recognizable faces in their genre, including several outings with Irish-punk band Flogging Molly, punk rockers Street Dogs, and hardcore/melodic punk legends Bad Religion. They have also participated in three of the enormously popular summer tour, Warped Tour. The band currently has three full lengths out, as well as an EP that was released in 2004.

The Briggs also gained some popularity when they were recommended to the professional hockey/National Hockey League team, the Los Angeles Kings. Their song "This is LA" is played after every home win.

Song Of Babylon
The Briggs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How long must we wait?
Will this be the fate from a familiar past?
Now, when from these hills
Come the deafening shrills of peace at last

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn
You're gonna get what you deserve"
I don't think we've struck a nerve

What will it take for us to learn?

Your hands are like dust
As they betray the trust of everyone
And they all wave goodbye
As they light up the sky, each and every one

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn
You're gonna get what you deserve"
And I don't think we've struck a nerve
What will it take for us to learn?

This is a call to everyone
To sing the song of Babylon

How long must we wait?
Will this be the fate of a familiar past?
Yeah, when from these hills
Come the deafening shrills of peace at last

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn
You're gonna get what you deserve"
And I don't think we've struck a nerve
What will it take for us to learn?

Yes, he says, ?Son, you're gonna burn
You're gonna get what you deserve"

I don't think we've struck a nerve
What will it take for us to learn?

Overall Meaning

The Briggs's song "Song Of Babylon" is a call to everyone to reflect on their actions and consider the consequences of their decisions. The lyrics are a commentary on the repeating cycles of history and the destructive patterns of behavior that humanity seems to continue to engage in. The song starts by asking how long people have to wait for peace to come and whether they will face the same fate as previous generations. The verses describe the betrayal of trust and the destruction that follows as people pursue their own interests over the needs of the community. The chorus insists that this is a call to everyone to sing the song of Babylon – to recognize the cycle of violence and work towards a more peaceful future.

The repetition of the phrase "Son, you're gonna burn / You're gonna get what you deserve" throughout the song serves to reinforce the idea that actions have consequences, and that those who engage in destructive behavior will eventually face the results of their choices. The use of the word "son" also adds a paternalistic tone, as if the singer is warning a younger generation of the danger of repeating past mistakes. The ending of the song offers hope by repeating the call to sing the song of Babylon and hints at the possibility of a more peaceful future.

Line by Line Meaning

How long must we wait?
The singer is asking how much longer they must wait for a change, as they fear that the future will simply be a repeat of the troubled past.

Will this be the fate from a familiar past?
The singer wonders if the current situation will end up the same as previous bad outcomes they've experienced before.

Now, when from these hills Come the deafening shrills of peace at last
The singer notes that peace is finally being achieved after a long and hard-won battle, but that there is still work to be done.

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn You're gonna get what you deserve" I don't think we've struck a nerve What will it take for us to learn?
The artist hears a warning about the consequences of their actions, but feels like it hasn't yet hit home. They wonder what it will take to make people change for the better.

Your hands are like dust As they betray the trust of everyone And they all wave goodbye As they light up the sky, each and every one
The artist comments on the destructive power of betrayal, which causes people to say goodbye and walk away from those who break their trust.

This is a call to everyone To sing the song of Babylon
The singer invites everyone to join their cause, which represents the ancient city of Babylon and its people who knew how to come together in solidarity.

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn You're gonna get what you deserve" And I don't think we've struck a nerve What will it take for us to learn?
The singer hears the warning again and restates their earlier question about what it will take to get through to people and inspire them to do better.

Yeah, when from these hills Come the deafening shrills of peace at last
The artist repeats their earlier observation about the hard-won peace finally being achieved.

And he says, "Son, you're gonna burn You're gonna get what you deserve" And I don't think we've struck a nerve What will it take for us to learn?
The artist hears the warning again and again asks their question about how to inspire people to do better and avoid the dire consequences they've been warned about.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS