All Is One

Orphaned Land's 'All Is One' is a powerful song that delves into themes of unity, peace, and the shared heritage of humanity, particularly in the context of the Middle Eastern conflict. The band, hailing from Israel, is known for incorporating elements of Middle Eastern folk music into their metal sound, often addressing social and political issues through their lyrics.

The song begins by identifying the band members as 'orphans from the holy land,' a reference to the turmoil and historical conflicts that have plagued Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. The 'tears of Jerusalem' symbolize the ongoing suffering of the people due to these conflicts. Despite the darkness, there is a resolve to 'rise up once again,' suggesting a hope for renewal and change. The lyrics also touch on the irony of sharing faith 'through the barrel of a gun,' highlighting the contradiction between religious teachings of peace and the reality of religiously motivated violence.

The chorus of the song, 'all is one,' is a plea for recognition of the fundamental unity among people, regardless of religion or ethnicity. The 'ancient promise in an orphaned land' could refer to the various covenants in Abrahamic religions that speak of peace and brotherhood. The song calls for an end to the cycle of violence ('shall we re-live the pain of wars before?') and advocates for enlightenment and unity ('the awakened ones are nothing but a few'). The mention of being 'children of Abraham' reinforces the shared lineage of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, urging for a focus on commonalities rather than differences.