The lyrics of the song "Ruination" by Job For A Cowboy depict a bleak and dystopian future. The earth is portrayed as slowly decaying and turning into a malignant tumor, implying that it is becoming a source of destruction and suffering. This sets the stage for the theme of the song, which is the aftermath of a nuclear war. The lyrics describe how the aftermath of this war has left the world barren and devoid of life. The once thriving and vibrant fields are now fractured and abandoned, unable to sustain any form of life. However, amidst this devastation, bodies begin to rise, symbolizing the resurrected victims of the war. These bodies and faces are described as mutated and disfigured, representing the horrifying consequences of nuclear warfare. Despite their physical deformities, these victims are still alive, breathing through their damaged lungs. They are depicted as limping and crawling across the ruins they once called home, embarking on a continuous and aimless march. The final lines of the lyrics emphasize the ongoing suffering of these victims. Their flesh continues to burn, their skin blackens, and their existence is reduced to mere embers in the fading air. This imagery adds to the overall sense of despair and hopelessness portrayed throughout the song. Overall, "Ruination" encapsulates the horrors and destruction caused by a nuclear war, presenting a grim vision of a future where life is mutated and on the brink of extinction.
