Gehenna
The Cynics Lyrics


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Gehenna

Depths of Gehenna
Steps to the Throne
He travels fastest
Who travels alone

He moves faster than the water
Shadow on the sun
He was wiser than I am I'm
Too old to die young

Time will tell us
Tell us why
Some will prosper
While some will die

Take a fish out of the water
Send it to the moon
I stay longer than I ought'a
But you left too soon

He moves faster than the water
Shadow on the sun




He was wiser than I am I'm
Too old to die young

Overall Meaning

The Cynics's song Gehenna is a cryptic exploration of loneliness, mortality, and the inexorable passing of time. The lyrics, while enigmatic, suggest a sense of foreboding and existential dread, as the singer contemplates the depths of the underworld, the steps to the throne (perhaps representing divine judgment or enlightenment), and the fleeting nature of human life. The first verse sets a menacing tone, as the singer declares that he who travels alone is the fastest, suggesting that the journey to Gehenna (an allusion to the biblical hell) is a solitary one. The second verse continues to evoke a sense of unease, as the singer compares the speed of his travels to that of water, which is both fast and fluid, and notes that he is too old to die young, implying that death is imminent, but that he has lived too long to pretend that he is invincible.


The chorus of the song is even more enigmatic, as it poses an existential question about the nature of existence: why do some people prosper while others die? The imagery of a fish being taken out of water and sent to the moon is surreal and nonsensical, but it suggests a sense of dislocation and disorientation, as if the singer doesn't belong in the world he inhabits. The final verse is the most poignant, as the singer laments the departure of a lover or friend, noting that he stays longer than he ought to, but that the other person has left too soon. The line about the shadow on the sun is especially striking, as it suggests an eclipse or an apocalyptic event, as if the very fabric of reality is being torn apart. Overall, the song suggests a sense of mortality and the impermanence of life, but it also hints at the possibility of transcendence and redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

Depths of Gehenna
We are diving into the depths of hell or a place of extreme suffering.


Steps to the Throne
The path to success is never easy and requires a lot of effort and dedication.


He travels fastest
A person who is alone and independent makes quicker progress than one who is dependent on others.


Who travels alone
Individuals who are self-sufficient move quickly as they do not need to wait for anyone else.


He moves faster than the water
He is making rapid progress in his journey and moving much faster than the natural element of water.


Shadow on the sun
He is casting a contrasting effect on what is considered normal or ordinary.


He was wiser than I am I'm
The singer acknowledges that the other person is more knowledgeable and experienced than himself.


Too old to die young
The artist feels that he has lived long enough and is not interested in any more adventures that could prove fatal.


Time will tell us
The future holds the key to what we seek and unfold the truth behind every enigma.


Tell us why
We want to know the reason behind every occurrence that takes place around us.


Some will prosper
Not everyone has an equal chance of success. Some individuals are privileged and have better opportunities than others.


While some will die
Death is inevitable, and it can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their social status or privilege.


Take a fish out of the water
Taking someone out of their natural habitat or comfort zone can have severe consequences for them.


Send it to the moon
Expecting someone to perform an act that is beyond their capacity and ability is pointless.


I stay longer than I ought'a
The singer is holding onto something for longer than necessary, possibly due to attachment or fear of change.


But you left too soon
Someone who was important to the artist has left or passed away abruptly, causing them sorrow and regret.




Contributed by Chase T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@godspunchingbag

What a great track!!

@2minstral

Great tune! Added to the World United Music playlists and website.

@steveododo

the Byrds are not far from here ;)

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