Verse 1
Hands are stained from the years of dirt
Hear the hounds, but they never learn
Type of soul if you ever trust
Then you'll meet the dust
You won't get far running from a curse
No turning back all the bridges burned
Sure can't lose what they never loved
Think they can't be touched
Chorus
Pride comes before the fall
Pride comes before the fall
Verse 2
It's a different view when you're at the top
Castles laid where the blood was lost
Trying to hide all the wicked hours
In your rise to power
A heart can't beat with veins of filth
It's dog eat dog kill or be killed
I wish I could tell you that you'll be alright
When the reaper comes tonight
Chorus
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
Post-Chorus
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
Bridge
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
They'll say good riddance when you're in the mud
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
They'll say good riddance when you're in the mud
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Chorus
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
(The fall, fall)
Pride comes before the fall
Post-Chorus
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
Pride comes before the fall
It's a long way down
Outro
The fall, the fall
The fall, the fall
The Fall
The Fall Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Tommee Profitt's song "The Fall" delves into the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and pride, exploring the inevitable consequence of reaching great heights through morally compromised means. The opening verses paint a picture of a life marked by corruption ("Hands are stained from the years of dirt"), where trust is dangerous and leads to ruin ("if you ever trust, then you'll meet the dust"). The idea of being pursued by consequences ("Hear the hounds") and burning bridges underscores a path of no return, suggesting that choices have led to an isolated and cursed existence. The lines about not losing what was never loved hint at emotional detachment or a focus solely on material gain, while the thought that those at the top are untouchable sets the stage for their eventual downfall.
The central theme is powerfully stated in the recurring chorus, "Pride comes before the fall." This timeless proverb, rooted in wisdom literature, serves as the core message, highlighting the destructive arrogance that blinds individuals to their vulnerability and impending collapse. It's not just a warning but a declaration of a spiritual and moral law that dictates the consequences of haughtiness.
The second verse shifts perspective to the view from the summit ("It's a different view when you're at the top"), revealing the hidden darkness beneath the success. The "castles laid where the blood was lost" and the effort to "hide all the wicked hours in your rise to power" expose the moral cost of such ambition. The imagery of a heart unable to function with "veins of filth" emphasizes spiritual corruption. The description of life at the top as a cutthroat struggle ("dog eat dog kill or be killed") further illustrates the ruthless environment created by this pursuit of power. The poignant line, "I wish I could tell you that you'll be alright when the reaper comes tonight," serves as a stark reminder of mortality and ultimate judgment, suggesting that worldly power offers no protection from death's final claim.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central message, leading into the "Post-Chorus" which emphasizes the distance and pain of descent: "It's a long way down." This phrase evokes the severity of falling from a great height, not just physically but also in terms of reputation, power, and spiritual standing. The higher one climbs through pride, the more devastating the inevitable collapse.
The bridge introduces the solemn imagery of "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," a phrase traditionally associated with death and burial, signifying the return of the body to the earth. In the context of the song, it underscores the ultimate fate of the proud and corrupt. The lines, "They'll say good riddance when you're in the mud," brutally depict the lack of genuine respect or love for those who rise through wickedness; their downfall is met with satisfaction rather than sorrow, highlighting their isolation and the emptiness of their achievements in the eyes of others. This reiteration of the phrase "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" serves as a powerful memento mori, a reminder that all worldly accomplishments are temporary and that ultimate equality is found in death. The song concludes by returning to the themes of the fall, leaving the listener contemplating the weighty consequences of a life driven by pride and devoid of moral integrity.
The core message of "Pride comes before the fall" directly echoes the biblical wisdom found in Proverbs 16:18, which states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." This scripture, along with other passages warning against arrogance and the pursuit of power at the expense of righteousness (e.g., James 4:6, Luke 14:11), provides a foundational context for the song's narrative. The imagery of returning to dust is also deeply rooted in scripture, notably in Genesis 3:19, where following the fall of humanity, God tells Adam, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." The song effectively modernizes these ancient warnings, presenting them through a powerful and cinematic musical lens that resonates with contemporary struggles for power and recognition while retaining the timeless truth of spiritual consequences.
