"You Will Be Godless" by Heaven Shall Burn is a song that criticizes those in positions of power who exploit their authority and manipulate others for their own benefit. The lyrics address the hypocrisy and corruption within religious institutions and political systems. The song begins by calling out "godless old men" and questioning why they don't practice what they preach. These individuals are described as being detached from reality, maintaining power as their highest priority, and ruling through oppression. The lyrics suggest that following these corrupt leaders will lead one to become godless themselves. They claim that these leaders preach love but feed hatred, forgive sins while concealing crimes. The repetition of the phrase "follow them and godless you shall be" emphasizes the negative consequences of aligning oneself with these manipulative figures. The song also critiques the control and manipulation exerted by these leaders on their believers. It describes the followers as downtrodden and trapped within archaic structures, encouraging them to question why they don't practice what they preach. The chorus states that those who follow these leaders will ultimately become godless. It points out that they feed the rich (the sawyer) while taunting the poor (the starving), and worship creation while ignoring the suffering of living beings. The song also criticizes religious figures and traditions, highlighting the disparity between their privileged positions (black hearts beating under snow-white cassocks) and their supposed devotion to a distressed icon. It implies that these ancient traditions serve to justify the actions of oppressive leaders. Overall, "You Will Be Godless" is a critique of power-hungry individuals who exploit their authority and manipulate others. It calls for individuals to question and resist these oppressive systems and encourages them to seek true enlightenment instead of blindly following those who only care about personal gain.
