Meaning of "Awaking The Centuries" by Haggard

The lyrics of "Awaking the Centuries" delve into a dystopian and apocalyptic narrative, suggesting a world consumed by darkness and on the brink of destruction. The song begins by warning against the lifting of one's head to the east, as it awakens a beast symbolizing evil and chaos. The imagery of stolen sunlight and a darkened world conveys a sense of foreboding and impending doom. The lyrics go on to describe the speaker's role as a bringer of knowledge, which they witness in a dream, but with a bitter taste. This bitter taste suggests that the knowledge brought to the world may not lead to positive outcomes or salvation.

As the song progresses, it alludes to the rise of evil and the fall of humanity. The imagery of soldiers and dead bodies in fields, children in between, and explosions shaking the land creates a vivid picture of war and destruction. The reference to "Hister," which is a play on Adolf Hitler's name, hints at the historical context of World War II and the atrocities perpetuated during that time. The fall of grace signifies the descent into darkness and the loss of humanity's moral compass.

The lyrics also reference prophecies or predictions of this impending darkness and the rise of evil. The lines about a beast swimming across rivers and the region being against it hint at a prophecy that foretells an oppressive force and the eventual defeat of humanity. The mention of a German child observing nothing suggests the ignorance or denial of the impending doom, perhaps alluding to the failure to recognize the signs of evil and take necessary actions to prevent it.

In the chorus, the speaker acknowledges that death is what they have left behind in all the centuries. This can be interpreted as a realization that their actions or inaction have contributed to the perpetuation of death and destruction throughout history. The repetition of the line "So feed the spark, welcome to the land of dark" reinforces the idea that the speaker acknowledges their role in enabling darkness and destruction to thrive.

Overall, "Awaking the Centuries" presents a grim exploration of the consequences of darkness and evil. It highlights the importance of recognizing and confronting these forces to avoid the destruction they bring. It also raises questions about knowledge, prophecy, and moral responsibility.