Strength Of The World by Avenged Sevenfold Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Vengeance and Solace

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Avenged Sevenfold's Strength Of The World at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

My story starts the day they said “she can’t be found”
the news so dark, heart stopped, I stood silent without a sound
It’s over, she’s finished, mother lies with my father and sister too
Cold-blooded, they suffered, shot down by the outlaws after you
Sorrow swallows my screams

Strength of the world, is on my shoulders
Strength of the world, is on my side
Strength of the world, the one true beholder
Ice in my veins, for those who’ve died

I’ve seen my family fade away, you’ve taken my whole life
There’s nothing left to say

Avenge the dead kill all who cross me in my path
Suicidal, I never planned on coming back
I want it, I need it, revenge is dripping from my teeth
Need nothin’, to feel power, and bring the killers to their knees
Nothin’ ta lose vengeance ta gain (you know I’ll never be the same)
So taste my breath I’m close behind you (so desperate on your final day)
Sorrow swallows my screams

Sitting in silence with heaven above me I prayed every night by their graves
While I search for closure I feel it no longer
I can’t turn my cheek away
I stand before you; I’ll sin when I have to
But now I leave your side, to avenge my family’s pride

So far forever alone, a greater punishment on me has been imposed
A killer falling from the light, I’ll miss my family, I’ll never be alright

In the pantheon of Avenged Sevenfold’s emotionally-charged ouevre, ‘Strength of the World’ strikes with a particularly profound resonance. It’s a sonic journey through the depths of loss and the harrowing path to retribution; a labyrinth where each verse and chorus pulsates with the raw intensity of a wounded soul.

Beyond the sheer aggression and powerful instrumentation for which the band is renowned, this track from their 2005 album ‘City of Evil’ weaves a narrative of personal devastation and the subsequent quest for justice. It’s an opus that questions morality, blurs the lines of righteousness, and delves into the human psyche’s darkest corners.

A Narrative Cloaked in Darkness: Unpacking The Personal Apocalypse

The tale unfolds with a personal catastrophe: the narrator is informed that their family is no more—a casualty of cruel and senseless violence. In the absence of his loved ones, swallowed by an abyss of sorrow, the protagonist stands frozen, voicing the ineffable grief of those left behind when tragedy strikes.

This opening stanza sets the stage for a journey bent on vengeance. As the shock settles into reality, the darkness of the narrative takes hold. The track becomes an embodiment of the crushing burden that accompanies such loss, with each chord strumming the listener’s own experiences of heartbreak and fury.

Vengeance as a Vital Force: The Quest for Retribution

Fuelled by a poison cocktail of grief and rage, the protagonist of the song pledges a violent odyssey against the harbingers of his sorrow. With the strength of the world upon his shoulders, this quest for revenge is framed not just as a personal vendetta, but an almost mythical undertaking that carries the weight of elemental forces.

The chorus echoes the invincibility that a soul embarks upon when consumed by the need for vengeance. It speaks to the universal resolve to strike back against the unfair blows fate deals us, a determination that has the power to turn pain into an unstoppable force.

An Elegy Turned War Cry: The Song’s Most Memorable Lines

In ‘Strength of the World,’ the lyric ‘Ice in my veins, for those who’ve died’ encapsulates the transformation of heartbreak into a cold resolve. It signifies the crossing of a threshold where sorrow no longer weakens but instead fortifies the spirit with a chilling determination.

Another poignant line, ‘I’ve seen my family fade away, you’ve taken my whole life; There’s nothing left to say,’ distills the essence of loss into a defining moment. It’s a moment where silence speaks louder than words could, and where the absence created by loss is felt most acutely.

The Cryptic Dance with Morality: Understanding the Song’s Hidden Meaning

While on the surface ‘Strength of the World’ is a revenge anthem, its undercurrents ripple with the complex ethics of retribution. It challenges us to consider the moralities we inherit and the ones we shape in response to life’s extremes.

Furthermore, in declaring ‘I stand before you; I’ll sin when I have to,’ the protagonist acknowledges the murky waters he wades through for perceived justice. The track lays bare the inner conflict that arises when one’s moral compass is tested by the severest of life’s trials.

Confronting the Resonance Within: How the Melody Reflects the Struggle

Musically, ‘Strength of the World’ complements its lyrical intensity with sweeping strings, thunderous drums, and searing guitar riffs. Each element of its composition is carefully assembled to mirror the ebb and flow of despair and fury, etching the turmoil into the listener’s consciousness.

The orchestral elements, often building to a crescendo during pivotal moments of the song, create a soundscape that is as vast and unyielding as the narrative it underscores. Avenged Sevenfold’s penchant for dramatic scores reaches a zenith in this track, leaving an indelible mark on the souls of those who accompany them on this journey of reclamation.