coals under foot burst into flames
become the earth's ashes
remain
awaiting sand
a burning man

approach the door where i place blame
take the first step
cleansing my shame
awaiting sand
a burning man



Lyrics submitted by HANGINGlikeaHEX

Track duration: 02:47


Burning Man song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Startlingly short but undeniably effective.

    coals under foot burst into flames
    become the earth
    ashes remain

    The coals underfoot (the fire that drives ones actions) consumes the individual reducing it to ash.
    (meaning an intense drive can consume ones mind and body). Ashes are whats left after being consumed, the essence of a man returning to the earth.

    awaiting sand--hourglass, waiting for sand to fall to the bottom(passing of time)
    a burning man--the man being consumed by his passion or drive

    approach the door where i place blame--the place
    he blames for his fall

    take the first step-begining an endeavor
    cleansing my shame--shame indicates hatred for the place he blames


    Burning man is a man consumed by hatred for the place he percieves to have shamed him or reduced him to nothing. He takes his first step into the place he hates and means to do something there.

    and heres the important bit......

    I would make the jump to conclude that the burning man is broken, reduced to ash by his hatred and returns to the place that shamed him to destroy it along with himself--to return both himself and his offender to the earth.
    Flag pentsawseon November 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I believe the song is about the annual Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Thousands of people assemble to celebrate decommodification, self-expression, community, art and self-reliance. The name comes from the immolation of a giant wooden stick man that takes place on the 6th day of the festival.
    Flag ruiner66on January 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the first line is about people who walk on hot coals for fun or spectacle. or religion I s'pose.
    Flag i_am_the_lawon July 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:hmmmm....i dont get it
    Flag TheRiverDragonon March 15, 2006   Link

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