I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I've seen and done things I want to forget;
I've seen soldiers fall like lumps of meat,
Blown and shot out beyond belief.
Arms and legs were in the trees.
I've seen and done things I want to forget;
coming from an unearthly place,
Longing to see a woman's face,
Instead of the words that gather pace,
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
Murder...
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
I've seen and done things I want to forget;
I've seen a corporal whose nerves were shot
Climbing behind the fierce, gone sun,
I've seen flies swarming everyone,
Soldiers fell like lumps of meat.
These are the words, the words are these.
death lingering, stunk,
Flies swarming everyone,
Over the whole summit peak,
Flesh quivering in the heat.
This was something else again.
I fear it cannot be explained.
The words that make, the words that make
Murder.
What if I take my problem to the United Nations?
I've seen soldiers fall like lumps of meat,
Blown and shot out beyond belief.
Arms and legs were in the trees.
I've seen and done things I want to forget;
coming from an unearthly place,
Longing to see a woman's face,
Instead of the words that gather pace,
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
Murder...
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
I've seen and done things I want to forget;
I've seen a corporal whose nerves were shot
Climbing behind the fierce, gone sun,
I've seen flies swarming everyone,
Soldiers fell like lumps of meat.
These are the words, the words are these.
death lingering, stunk,
Flies swarming everyone,
Over the whole summit peak,
Flesh quivering in the heat.
This was something else again.
I fear it cannot be explained.
The words that make, the words that make
Murder.
What if I take my problem to the United Nations?
Lyrics submitted by stentorian
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"The Words That Maketh Murder" is referring to the act of documenting the atrocities, bringing them to light. The concept of justice - like a war tribunal, that investigates "war crimes", judges them and calls them murder. Until this happens they are just acts committed in war, on the battlefield. It's very literal and such a sharp concept. Brilliant song. A gem of an album.
The words that maketh murder alludes to the saying "the pen is more dangerous than the sword". This is because the people who decide whether they will send their soldiers to war or not are the ones with the pens. The sword does what the pen has written it will do.<br /> "What if I take my problem to the United Nations" is ironic, and smugly criticizing that the united nations is actually not there to stop "the words that maketh murder".... she repeats the question, with no answer. Which tells you a lot.<br /> <br /> The words that maketh murder, are the words of the soldiers. "I've seen and done things I want to forget"
I would also like to add that war tribunals are incredibly biased to a) the winners of war, and b) to who ever will profit more. It's really not about "justice"
Great song that is really timely. P.J. juxtaposes a great beat with horrific images of war.
My first interpretation was simply that the "words that make murder" are the last line of the song. But Daphne's interpretation is a bit more interesting. I guess that doesn't necessarily make it right... anyone have words from the horse's mouth?
People should remember that "maketh" is archaic English for the SINGULAR third-person of "make," not the plural. It can therefore only refer to "murder," not "words. The modern English equivalent of the phrase is "The words that murder makes."
That should make it much easier to understand ("I've seen and done things I want to forget").
@Veillantif Well done, thank you.