Angels on the sideline
Puzzled and amused.
Why did Father give these humans free will?
Now they're all confused.

Don't these talking monkeys know that Eden has enough to go around?
Plenty in this holy garden, silly old monkeys,
Where there's one you're bound to divide it
Right in two

Angels on the sideline
Baffled and confused
Father blessed them all with reason.
And this is what they choose.
Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground

Silly monkeys give them thumbs,
They forge a blade, and where there's one they're bound to divide it
Right in two.
Right in two.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground
Silly monkeys give them thumbs, they make a club
And beat their brother down.
How they survive so misguided is a mystery.
Repugnant is a Creature who would squander the ability
To lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here

Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two

Fight over the clouds, over wind, over sky and
Fight over life, over blood, over air and light,
Over love, over sun, over another.
Fight for the time, for the one, for the rise and

Angels on the sideline again
Been so long with patience and reason
Angels on the sideline again
Wondering when this tug of war will end

Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two
Cut and divide it all right in two
Right in two
Right in two



Lyrics submitted by Modus Ponens

"Right in Two" as written by Daniel Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones, Maynard James Keenan

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Right in Two song meanings
Add your thoughts

320 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    Song Meaning:This song is written in the vein of Satan's point of view. He led a portion of the Angels to rebel against God partially due to the fact that God gave humans souls which the Angels lack and placed them above the angels in his love. Satan and the others who sided with him hated the humans because of their place in God's heart and for the foolish decisions humans made, the first being to choose death and the knowledge of good and evil over life in Eden. The Angels were created first and told to serve God only. Then God created humans and told the Angels they would serve the humans as well. This caused an irreconcilable conflict among Satan and his followers who could not realign their service to God to include his command to serve His chosen, humans.
    I have heard that the members of Tool consider themselves "Satanists" which is not to say black magic and all that crap but more of Stanism as the true rebuking of religion and human being focused free will. Many of their songs speak to this ideology and also reference the beliefs of organized religion, particularly Christianity. I am a Christian and find their music and lyrics fascinating and insightful as I base my beliefs on faith and love the gathering of people to these ends and not control of the masses through religion.
    Flag taterzpopon April 17, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:My belief is that Maynard mocks organized religion in many of his songs. He makes biblical references in many of his songs including his other projects. In this song he is telling a story/making a point from the point of an angel. I believe that he is mocking the idea of a "creator" but is asking those listening to consider the same. He makes his lyrics vague on purpose. But when the gist of all his other songs in other projects are taken into account, I believe that this is what he is trying to say in this song.
    Flag Travmanon April 04, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Here's what I hear in the breakdown part:

    Fight over clouds, over wind, over sky and
    Fight over life, over blood, over air and light,
    Over love, over sun, over another.
    Fight 'till they die, over words, over writing.

    Could be wrong, but I that's what I hear. It's really hard to make out, but I think it was done on purpose to make us form our own opinions and interpretations of the song. I think it makes sense in the context of the song and how religion has caused so many wars, blah blah blah. At least that's how I interpret it. Cheers.
    Flag johnstone5on March 01, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great and pretty quintessential Tool at the core. Props to Danny Carey, drums are awesome in this jam.

    And the lyrics give you a bit to think about.

    On a side note, if we are a product of evolution, I do wonder whether it's necessary to put the if there to be PC but anyway; we're bound to carry some of the instincts of our ancestors in addition to physiology. Theres a concept of the 'monkey mind' in buddhism which may be easily related. I do like the religious/spiritual tones Tool takes which are often powerful mediums for asking deeper questions about morality or the human condition.
    Flag Johann4uon February 08, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:God gave humans one of everything.
    Humans in turn, cut that one into two
    Therefore, in humans reality things MUST be "good" and "bad" instead of just one.
    Most of Tools songs are thoughts of "New Age" religon.
    Flag mmiikkeeon January 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:To me this song talks about how we turn away from the unity of the universe. The unity is of love. The song talks about how we as the human race are aggressive and violent. This of course not coming from love. By turning away from the singular unity of love you cut it "right in two" creating a duality where you are separated from that love and thus become aggressive.
    Flag sidekic1on December 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion:The lyrics about fighting never added up to what I hear when I listen to the song. The lyrics that I hear, while they may not be correct, are:
    "Fight over cloud over earth over sky
    They fight Over love over blood over hell and light
    Over love over sun over flood
    They fight or they die over one for uprising!"

    I agree that the song is essentially about the angels ridiculing man(monkeys) for fighting to claim everything which isn't theirs to begin with. The lyrics i've posted can add backing to the notion, ridiculing the causes people fight for to begin with. The last line really hooks me. They fight or they die over one for uprising. I can imagine the "one" being Jesus who caused an uprising and was crucified for the behaviour. And now these confused monkeys are fighting in the name of that one up-riser but are truly no better than the ones who had slain him.
    Also, dividing/cutting in two can be seen as destroying something, sharing something, or creating something (Cells dividing in two.) So the division can be bad, good, or neutral. Just depends on how the monkeys choose to divide.
    Flag ChillyKittenon September 20, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He kind of explains exactly what he means by "right in two" pretty early in the song.

    Don't these talking monkeys know that Eden has enough to go around?
    Plenty in this holy garden, silly old monkeys,
    Where there's one you're bound to divide it

    Instead of living together we feel the need to conquer each other.
    Flag josruz161on September 06, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My personal opinion is that this song is about the stuggles here on earth "edin" and the separation from our higher self keeps consciousness US cut "right in two"
    Flag EricHeenieon August 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Cut it all in two!

    Very philosofic and deep.

    I can't understand where this comes from. Usualy i understand their lyrics but "cut it right in two"?

    The last thing a human would do is cut it in two unless he wants to break it!
    Flag xXxSkollxXxon July 19, 2012   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain