The Gates of Delirium Lyrics

[Part I: Prelude]

[Intro]
La-la, la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la, la

[Verse 1]
Stand and fight, we do consider
Reminded of an inner pact between us, that's seen as we go
And ride there, in motion
To fields in debts of honour, defending

[Verse 2]
Stand the marchers soaring talons
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom, fighting we know
Destroy oppression, the point to reaction
As leaders look to you, attacking

[Bridge]
Choose and renounce, throwing chains to the floor
Kill or be killing, faster sins correct the flow
Casting giant shadows off fast penetrating force
To alter via the war that's seen, as friction spans the spirits wrath ascending to redeem
Too-too, too-doo-doo
Too-too, too-doo-doo
[Verse 3]
Wars that shout in screams of anguish
Power spent passion bespoils our soul receiver, surely we know
In glory we rise to offer
Create our freedom, a word we utter
A word

[Bridge]
Words cause our banner, victorious our day
Will silence be promised as violence displays
The curse increased, we fight the power and live by it by day
Our gods awake in thunderous roars and guide the Leader's hand in paths of glory to the cause

[Segue]

[Verse 4]
Listen, should we fight forever?
Knowing as we do know, fear destroys
Listen, should we leave our children?
Listen, our lives stare in silence
Help us now

[Verse 5]
Listen, your friends have been broken
They tell us of your poison, now we know
Kill them, give them as they give us
Slay them, burn their children's laughter
On to hell
[Bridge]
The fist will run, grasp metal to gun
The spirit sings in crashing tones, we gain the battle drum
Our cries will shrill, the air will moan and crash into the dawn
The pen won't stay the demon's wings
The hour approaches, pounding out the Devil's sermon

[Part II: Battle]

[Instrumental]


[Part III: Soon]

[Verse 6]
Soon, oh soon the light
Pass within and soothe this endless night
And wait here for you
Our reason to be here

[Verse 7]
Soon, oh soon the time
All we move to gain will reach and calm
Our heart is open
Our reason to be here

[Bridge]
Long ago, set into rhyme
[Verse 8]
Soon, oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here

[Verse 8]
Soon, oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here

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About

Genius Annotation

“The Gates of Delirium” is the first track on Yes’s 1974 album, Relayer.
The song is based on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, and it begins with a lengthy vocal section followed by a long instrumental section (beginning at about the 8 minute mark) representing a battle.
The final section, occurring about 16 minutes in, released as a single in 1975 entitled “Soon”, is a very gentle, soothing prayer for peace and hope which represents the aftermath of the battle.
Before the release of Open Your Eyes, the reissue of Tales from Topographic Oceans and the release of Fly from Here, this was the longest officially released studio recording by the band with almost 22 minutes, taking up the entire first side of the LP.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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