If I were you, I would take this as a sign
Believe it's true, we were never meant to fly
And I owe you, I know you more than anyone alive
And I will not let go
They will not remember this song
No matter what we do we'll be wrong
They will not remember this song
No matter what we do we'll be wrong
I can't seem to see the seal we're breaking
I can't seem to see the seal we broke
I refuse to recognize your views
Someone shouted "Everything's for nothing"
Somebody shouted, "All is lost"
But I can't buy that nonsense too
Way back when the prophecies began
Do you think they really had a master plan
Or were they merely writing fables, stories?
I don't know but it has occurred to me
The punishment that they threaten constantly
It's only real if they could just convince me

We're going down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafe - Down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafe - we're going down - And the gears will spin and the sinners sin, but at least we'll give them hell - And the righteous few will spit on you, so bid them all farewell - We're going down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafe - We;re going down (Right?) (Right!)

So fuck the flocks of sheep that keep amassing masses
Asses being led so far astray
And I won't claim to believe the things I read
Black books or agenda magazine
I'd rather see in shades of gray
If I were you, I would take this as a sign
Believe it's true, we were never meant to fly
And I knew you when you were you
Before they twisted all your views
Before you came unglued

We're going down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafe...

Now everybody's telling taller tales
And I don't know who to believe
Ok, if your father really loves you more
What about the other families?
Finally, I met a man with kindness in his eye and fire in his heart
He said you'll never have to choose a side
It's rewarding but oh, the road is hard....
They broke him wide open
Like a dam and a cork that's holding everything inside
You can play the role of rebel
Just be sure to know your wrong from right
I remember it was years ago
You know I still count the days
You and I had quite a ways to go
I never once heard you complain
And you said
Don't crack, because you might not make it back
And if you do you will be alone and you can't live like that
Well I know when I'm wrong and I sure as hell ain't wrong this time

We're going down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafes...



Lyrics submitted by alexeugene, edited by Iluvtohkay

Track duration: 05:03


Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:I just realized what Tomas did on the line "And the gears will spin and the sinners sin, but at least we'll give them hell".
    Besides from the obvious meaning of we'll give them hell (like a hell of a time), this can also mean giving (like giving an object) hell. Just meaning we (the people who don't follow the religious laws in fear of hell) give those "perfect" people a place to believe in and to send us and to be scared of and to tell their children about so they will be good too.
    Flag Iluvtohkayon January 27, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The way I interpret this song, it's a cry out to those people who spend so much time worrying about whether they'll go to Heaven or Hell in the end. This song puts you in the perspective of somebody who knows they won't be going to Heaven, according to Christian beliefs, and he's come to terms with it. He wants to keep on living the way he wants to live, and not spend his time tallying every little sin so he can beg God for forgiveness.

    "Believe it's true, we were never meant to fly."
    Our lives are so filled with what the Christian church (and many others, mind you) would deem to be unholy and befitting of a sinner destined for Hell. This man understands that fact, and is fully prepared to keep on enjoying his life, despite his unfavorable future.

    "We're going down, down, down to Mephisto's Cafe"
    In some literature, the Devil is referred to as "Mephisto." Tomas decided to portray Hell as nothing more than a dull place where you are forced to spend your time, unallowed to do anything else. This can also be seen on the cover of the album "99 Songs of Revolution," in which you can see the Devil sipping coffee in a cafe.

    "I'd rather see in shades of grey"
    "You will never have to choose a side"
    Instead of devoting your life to either supporting or combating the beliefs of other people, you should keep living your own life as you wish. You don't have to force people to believe the same things you do, but you also don't have to keep people from believing other things than you do. Sure, you won't have many people to share ideas with you, but the people you associate yourself with surely will have similarities in what they believe, and you can bond on those terms.

    One line that sort of leaves me without an actual feeling is "Don't crack, because you might not make it back
    And if you do you will be alone and you can't live like that"
    If somebody has some more input on this line, I'd greatly appreciate a reply ^-^
    Flag AnAwesomeAardvarkon June 22, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I believe this song isn't so much about bashing religion, as it is bashing close-mindedness. The line "I'd rather see in shades of gray" suggests that while he doesn't want religion, he doesn't want to be an atheist, either. While it seems most of the song is talking about religious views, I think that's only because they're more prominent than the outspoken atheist. The line "Someone shouted 'Everything's for nothing...but I can't buy that nonsense too" seems to me that while he doesn't like organized religion so much, he still wants to believe in something. It's less of an atheist anthem and more of an agnostic anthem.
    Flag Gizmo122112on December 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I get the impression that the lyrics of this song aren't critical toward religion in general, but more toward people who are obsessed with others' beliefs and trying to save them from going to Hell. The lyrics mention something to the effect of praying for forgiveness in Would You Be Impressed, so I get the impression that Kalnoky's not anti-religion, just an advocate of believing what you feel is right and letting others do the same.
    Flag hammerhead300on June 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So I read a comment that said Tomas announced in concert that this song was about Scientology and one that said he said this song was about hell. When I saw them, he opened up this song by saying it's about the freedom to choose your own religion. With that theme in mind - that being the first time I had ever heard it, playing it months before the album's release - I've always took it more as a request for religious people (as well as atheists) to have an open mind about the beliefs of others. He believes that, because God, or godlessness, is invisible and ultimately decided upon by conjecture and emotion, both sides presenting evidence for their beliefs, any person has just as much a chance of being right as he does being wrong. But Tomas also believes that the ambiguity of religious thought is fact, hence the last line of the final verse.
    Flag TheCranialMasson January 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If you study the actual teachings of Jesus Christ rather than the bible and Christian Mythology, Jesus taught that eternal salvation could be found in unconditional love. Essentially when he says:

    "Finally, I met a man with kindness in his eye and fire in his heart
    He said you'll never have to choose a side
    It's rewarding but oh, the road is hard.... "

    He is referring to the teachings of Christ as opposed to the teachings of the church. This song has a very strong agnostic message and clearly derides atheism as much as it derides other religions.

    "Someone shouted "Everything's for nothing"
    Somebody shouted, "All is lose"
    But I can't buy that nonsense too"

    "And I won't claim to believe the things I read
    Black books or agenda magazine
    I'd rather see in shades of gray "

    It seems to me Tomas is essentially saying anyone claiming to have all the answers about eternity whether they claim it definitely does exist or they claim it definitely does not exist is being exceedingly arrogant.

    This song clearly opposes the views held by religious people but it very clearly opposes atheistic zealotry as well.
    Flag Imagod80on December 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ok honestly, may be a far shot off but i think it may possibly be him voicing his religious views, he is not sure which religion is right, but he believes in Jesus, but he doesnt know which path is right, but he cant follow atheism because he cant buy into that either, and as for hte chorus its probably talking about his views and personaly beliefs being persecuted and people telling him he is gonna go to hell for not following them, but thats just my opinion :D
    Flag youngestdrakeon November 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ok Tomas Kalnoky is an atheist. and yes that is what this song is about. hes talking about how they all say hes going to hell (mephisto's cafe) for being atheist. but his attitude is basically just "supposedly im goin to hell for my views, but i dont care". i remember when i told the meaning to my christian friend, carpy, he just said "wow theyre so optimistic about eternal damnation". i thot it was funny. but anyways. as sinners, we are all going "down down down to mephistos cafe".
    Flag JustinLWFAon September 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Memory:At a show recently Tomas said this song was about "Freedom of religion and freedom FROM religion." I interpret it as a response to people who bother him about religion. It's obviously from the perspective of an atheist and if that bothers believers then maybe that's the point. Maybe you should reconsider shoving your religion in everyone's faces every chance you get.
    Flag TheIcelanderon August 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You guys are looking into this way way way too much, what he is saying is written right there in the lyrics... He's saying if there are twenty million(exaggeration) different religions out there, how can you be so sure on one? and why would it matter? If there is a heaven and hell the only thing you have to do is lead a good life, have "kindness" in your heart and that should be enough to get to heaven, nirvana whatever the fuck you believe in, and that should be enough, and if its not, then he doesn't think it's worth it to change himself for anyone, god, or any of these two faced people that do believe in something.
    Flag Dnapaloon January 23, 2010   Link

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