8th Commandment

Sonata Arctica's '8th Commandment' delves into the themes of deceit, guilt, and the moral consequences of one's actions. The song's title references the biblical commandment 'Thou shalt not bear false witness,' which condemns lying. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone ensnared in a web of lies, struggling to distinguish between reality and the falsehoods they've created. The opening lines, 'All those lies suit you / They are custom made to drive you out of reality,' suggest that the protagonist has become so accustomed to lying that it has distorted their perception of the world.

The song also explores the internal conflict and eventual reckoning that comes with living a life of deceit. The lines 'When you wake from your dream you know what is true? / Ring of bell inside your head is playing with your mind' indicate a moment of awakening or realization, where the protagonist is forced to confront the truth. The recurring advice to 'Remember to pray / And what the Bible says and you will live thru eternity' serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual consequences of their actions, urging them to seek redemption.

The chorus, 'Stay for a while, stay forever / Sing for the times you are bound to betray / Run for the life, run forever / Your eyes tell a lie and the liar must always die,' underscores the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's lies. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the cyclical nature of deceit and the inescapable fate that awaits those who live dishonestly. The song's intense and dramatic tone, combined with its powerful lyrics, creates a compelling narrative about the destructive power of lies and the importance of truth and integrity.