The song "As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be" by Exodus reflects on the consequences of not learning from past mistakes and the potential for a third world war. The lyrics suggest that humanity has failed to pay attention to lessons learned in history, leading to destructive actions. The song specifically mentions Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) as the ground zero for the coming world war, where thousands of people will die in the sand. The chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of history and predicts that the world is on the brink of another global conflict. It implies that this impending war will be a repetition of past events. The lyrics also criticize war mongering leaders who manipulate public sentiment by waving the flag of democracy while sending soldiers to die for bureaucratic reasons. The reference to oil fields overflowing with blood suggests that corporate interests may be a driving force behind the conflict. Additionally, the song dismisses the notion of weapons of mass destruction and sees them as fabricated justifications for war. It suggests that the war in the Middle East is driven by one man's personal agenda rather than it being a fight for freedom. The song concludes with the realization that not caring about the Middle East or the consequences of our actions has led us to lie in the bed we've made, implying that humanity will face the consequences of its actions in the form of an "atomic feast." Overall, the song criticizes the lack of attention to history, the deceptive tactics of leaders, and the disregard for the consequences of war, serving as a warning against repeating past mistakes.
