"Hallowed Be Thy Name": Iron Maiden and Religion

Well, I haven't missed a day yet: I guess I'm holding to my goals. Speaking of which, I don't think I'm going to post everyday. I think everyone would start to get sick of me if I posted everyday. So, I'll just post when I have something important to put up. Yeah, I don't have anything philisophical or intelectual to post today. But!...

Musical Analysis:

So, I was listening to some music on my computer today, and a song came on: "Hallowed Be Thy Name" by Iron Maiden. I don't know why, but I've never really listened to the lyrics on this one before.They struck me as very interesting. The lyrics are as follows:

"I'm waiting in my cold cell, when the bell begins to chime.
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time.
'Cause at 5 o'clock they take me to the Gallows Pole,
The sands of time for me are running low...

Running low--ooohhh...

When the priest comes to read me the last rites,
I take a look through the bars at the last sights,
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me.
Can it be that there's some sort of error?
Hard to stop the surmounting terror.
Is this really the end, not some crazy dream?

Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming,
It's not easy to stop from screaming,
But words escape me when I try to speak.
Tears flow but why am I crying?
After all I'm not afraid of dying.
Don't I believe that there never is an end?

As the guards march me out to the courtyard,
Somebody cries from a cell "God be with you".
If there's a God then why does he let me go?
As I walk my life drifts before me.
Though the end is near I'm not sorry.
Catch my soul, it's willing to fly away.

Mark my words believe my soul lives on.
Don't worry now that I have gone.
I've gone beyond to see the truth.
When you know that your time is close at hand,
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down here is just a strange illusion.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...Hallowed be Thy name
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...Hallowed be Thy name"

This is, obviously, the story of a man who has been ordered execution by hanging. Now, Iron Maiden has been known by a few to be a Satanic band (if you are among this group you don't know Satanic Rock. It's quite scary). However, I have noticed recently that they seem to incorporate a lot of religion into their music. First off, there's this song. A man going to the gallows who seems to believe quite strongly in an afterlife. Granted, near the middle he seems to have his doubt ("If there is a god, why does he let me go?) But, I think that, overall, this man realizes the answer to his question.

There also the song Revelations. The first stanza of this song is a direct scriptural quote:

"Oh, God of earth and altar
Bow down and hear our cry.
Our earthly rulers falter;
Our people drift and die.

The walls of gold entomb us;
The swords of scorn divide.
Take not thy thunder from us,
Take away our pride"

Okay, I take that back: it's from a hymn. But, it still seems to have a lot of religious significance.

I don't usually post things having to do with religion. However, it's The Sabbath and I figured I might as well, as this seemed to come randomly to me. Anyway, I think this is it for this post. I would encourage our audience to listen to these songs somehow. Even without their philosophical meaning, it's just good music.

It's been good discussing with you guys. Drive home safe!