When All Is Said And Done

Napalm Death's song "When All Is Said And Done" is a powerful critique of the destructive forces of blind faith, ignorance, and the misuse of power. The lyrics paint a grim picture of a world driven to madness by the conflict between religion and science, and the resulting chaos and suffering. The opening lines, "Blindness feeds the world to madness / Faith's crumbling, there's no doubt about it," set the tone for a song that questions the validity of beliefs that lead to pain and destruction. The band highlights the helplessness and desperation of people wandering the streets, as well as the shamelessness of those in power who commit atrocities without remorse.

The chorus, "When all is said and done / Heaven lies in my heart / No slave to beliefs that propagate pain," offers a glimmer of hope and a personal declaration of independence from harmful ideologies. It suggests that true peace and fulfillment come from within, rather than from external doctrines that cause suffering. This sentiment is reinforced with the line, "This life is a gift to be lived and loved," emphasizing the importance of cherishing life and finding meaning in love and personal connections.

The song also delves into the consequences of ideological conflicts, describing a fractured world bound by contradictions and driven by heartless, selfless, and shameless powers. The imagery of "divine blueprints of hatred" and "Black Bible tyrants behind masks of righteousness" underscores the hypocrisy and treachery of those who use religion and ideology to justify their actions. The closing lines, "One more chance for a shot at redemption / Lost within, can we summon the might?" leave the listener with a sense of urgency and a call to action, urging humanity to find the strength to overcome these destructive forces and seek redemption.