Devil With a Fist
Warm in the Wake Lyrics
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When the mighty mountain caved in
And the inner earth before me
Showed a fiery, fiery red tint
And amidst the churning lava
Showed a devil with a fist
With ragged hyenas laughing
So I fell right down before them
And I shook my hand at the mountain
And with all my faults before them
All my thoughts became a fountain
That showed grace on the metal
In the face of the devil
In my place
On the surface people met me
Spoke of pride and of feats
Built a statue in my honor
Ceremonies and a feast
Toasted men of greater measure
Echoed words of heads of state
But they didn't know the statue hailed
A devil in my place
So I fell right down before them
And I shook my hand at the mountain
And with all my faults before them
All my faults became a mountain
That showed grace on the metal
In the face of the devil
In my place
The lyrics to Warm in the Wake's "Devil With a Fist" is a metaphorical representation of society's tendency to idolize and celebrate individuals who achieve success and greatness, without truly understanding the flaws and pitfalls that come with it. The mountain signifies a lofty goal, and the singer of the song was just about to reach its peak when it crumbled in front of him. Beneath it, he witnessed a demonic figure amidst a chaotic and frightening scene. This figure, the devil with a fist, represents the price of success – the pride, ambition, and ego that can consume individuals who strive for greatness. The hyenas and demons signify the negative thoughts, insecurities, and doubts that plague people in their pursuit of success.
The singer, humbled by the experience, falls before the devil and the mountain, and recognizes his own shortcomings and imperfections. He acknowledges the irony of the statue built in his honor and the adulation he received from society, representing how people often glorify others without truly understanding their struggles and sacrifices. The final lines of the song show how the singer comes to terms with the devil within himself, and recognizes the grace and humanity he must show in the face of it.
Overall, "Devil With a Fist" is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and how the pursuit of greatness can come at a cost. It speaks to the importance of humility, self-awareness, and acknowledging our own faults and shortcomings.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just reaching the summit
I was achieving great success
When the mighty mountain caved in
But suddenly, everything fell apart
And the inner earth before me
I saw the true nature of my situation
Showed a fiery, fiery red tint
It was dangerous and chaotic
And amidst the churning lava
In the middle of all this destruction
Showed a devil with a fist
I was faced with a powerful enemy
With ragged hyenas laughing
His minions were taunting me
Tiny demons in their midst
He had an army of evil creatures by his side
So I fell right down before them
I was overwhelmed and defeated
And I shook my hand at the mountain
I was angry and frustrated at my situation
And with all my faults before them
I was vulnerable and honest with my weaknesses
All my thoughts became a fountain
I was struck with inspiration
That showed grace on the metal
I found beauty in the chaos
In the face of the devil
Despite the enemy I faced
In my place
I had the strength to endure
On the surface people met me
Others saw me as successful
Spoke of pride and of feats
They admired my accomplishments
Built a statue in my honor
They celebrated me with a monument
Ceremonies and a feast
Celebrations were held in my honor
Toasted men of greater measure
Those who were more accomplished than me praised me
Echoed words of heads of state
Even leaders recognized my achievements
But they didn't know the statue hailed
But they didn't realize the danger that loomed over me
A devil in my place
The monument was dedicated to my enemy, not me
So I fell right down before them
I was brought back down to reality
And I shook my hand at the mountain
My frustration and anger returned
And with all my faults before them
I once again faced my weaknesses
All my faults became a mountain
My flaws seemed insurmountable
That showed grace on the metal
But I still found beauty amidst the chaos
In the face of the devil
Despite the odds stacked against me
In my place
I had to keep fighting, no matter what
Contributed by Maria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.