After Forever

Album: Master Of Reality (1971)
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  • Have you ever thought about your soul
    Can it be saved?
    Or perhaps you think
    That when you are dead
    You just stay in your grave
    Is God just a thought within your head
    Or is he a part of you?
    Is Christ just a name
    That you read in the book
    When you were in school?

    When you think about death
    Do you lose your breath
    Or do you keep your cool?
    Would you like to see the Pope
    On the end of a rope?
    Do you think he's a fool?
    Well, I have seen the truth
    Yes, I've seen the light
    And I've changed my ways
    And I'll be prepared
    When you're lonely and scared
    At the end of our days

    Could it be you're afraid
    Of what your friends might say
    If they knew you believe in God above?
    They should realize before they criticize
    That God is the only way to love

    Is your mind so small
    That you have to fall
    In with the pack wherever they run?
    Will you still sneer when death is near
    And say that you may as well
    Worship the sun?

    I think it was true it was people like you
    That crucified Christ
    I think it is sad the opinion you had
    Was the only one voiced
    Will you be so sure
    When your day is near
    Say you don't believe?
    You had the chance
    But you turned it down
    Now you can't retrieve

    Perhaps you'll think before you say
    "God is dead and gone"
    Open your eyes, just realise
    That He is the one
    The only one who can save you now
    From all this sin and hate
    Or will you jeer at all you hear?
    Yes, I think it's too late Writer/s: Frank Iommi, John Osbourne, Terence Butler, W.t. Ward
    Publisher: Onward Music Limited, T.R.O. INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI think Geezer denounced this song years later, if I'm not mistaken. Though they still played it live to the very end, so I might be wrong.
  • Mike from New York CityI also enjoy the musical stylings of Sabbath!
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaI've always loved original Sabbath (first 4 albumns, with Ozzy, mostly) & this song puts paid to all the Christian & church antis. . . Just like Jesus, Geezer is calling them out on their hypocrisies. With a hard demand to "put up or shut up."; He's npt judging anyone: he's forcing the listener to question where they are in life & belief. Very much a push towards Christianity, but this is explained above in the article. I'm not Christian, but I can understand this song as more generic as in asking yourself if you're on God's path for you, or on your own where you make up gods for yourself(like the sun); Geezer was raised Catholic, so that's ghis perspective & I coinsiderf ine or yours equally as valid. Does God? Ask Him yourself, but do enjoy the music & give thanks you were made with the ability to hear & appreciate well composed music, like classic Black Sabbath. I, a Pope, am a fool jkust like tyhe one in Rome, but I don't believe either of us should be hung at the end of a rope for it! Nor should you -- ask yourself these questoins, then take time to listen to the answers as you keep the music playing in the background. . . it's all good! YOU are good. Your LIFE is good! Your FUTURE is bright! This is the real Sabbath message. These guys loved their lives and they loved their fans & God for making their lifestyle of indulgence possible, but deep down they asked the hard questions of themselves then reflected their thoughts out to us in their lyrics. I love these guys! Nothing written or played today compares!
  • Jackball from DenverSabbath now and forever!
  • Cindy from Pure DeliriumSabbath freakin Rules!!! "Would you like to see the pope on the end of a rope do you think he's a fool"
see more comments

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