The Man Comes Around

Album: American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002)
Play Video
  • And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder:
    One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see."
    And I saw.
    And behold, a white horse.

    There's a man goin' 'round takin' names.
    An' he decides who to free and who to blame.
    Everybody won't be treated all the same.
    There'll be a golden ladder reaching down.
    When the man comes around.

    The hairs on your arm will stand up.
    At the terror in each sip and in each sup.
    Will you partake of that last offered cup,
    Or disappear into the potter's ground.
    When the man comes around.

    Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers.
    One hundred million angels singin'.
    Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum.
    Voices callin', voices cryin'.
    Some are born an' some are dyin'.
    It's Alpha and Omega's Kingdom come.

    And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
    The virgins are all trimming their wicks.
    The whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
    It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

    Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom.
    Then the father hen will call his chickens home.
    The wise men will bow down before the throne.
    And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns.
    When the man comes around.

    Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still.
    Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still.
    Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still.
    Listen to the words long written down,
    When the man comes around.

    Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers.
    One hundred million angels singin'.
    Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum.
    Voices callin', voices cryin'.
    Some are born an' some are dyin'.
    It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

    And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
    The virgins are all trimming their wicks.
    The whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
    It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

    In measured hundredweight and penny pound.
    When the man comes around.

    And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts,
    And I looked and behold: a pale horse.
    And his name, that sat on him, was Death.
    And Hell followed with him. Writer/s: John Cash
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • C from HereThis song is about God's judgement (good or bad). The virgins are those who waited for their Bridegroom (Jesus), who is "The Man", in the "The Man Comes Around". The Man, Jesus, who came the 1st time as the Lamb of God, and according the Book of Revelation, comes the 2nd time as a Judge with rewards for some and punishments for those who rejected God's free gift of salvation through the Lamb.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.