The Man Comes Around

Album: American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002)
Play Video
  • And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder
    One of the four beasts saying, "Come and see"
    And I saw
    And behold, a white horse

    There's a man goin' 'round takin' names
    An' he decides who to free and who to blame
    Everybody won't be treated all the same
    There'll be a golden ladder reaching down
    When the man comes around

    The hairs on your arm will stand up
    At the terror in each sip and in each sup
    Will you partake of that last offered cup
    Or disappear into the potter's ground
    When the man comes around

    Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers
    One hundred million angels singin'
    Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum
    Voices callin', voices cryin'
    Some are born an' some are dyin'
    It's Alpha and Omega's Kingdom come

    And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
    The virgins are all trimming their wicks
    The whirlwind is in the thorn tree
    It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks

    Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom
    Then the father hen will call his chickens home
    The wise men will bow down before the throne
    And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns
    When the man comes around

    Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still
    Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still
    Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still
    Listen to the words long written down
    When the man comes around

    Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers
    One hundred million angels singin'
    Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum
    Voices callin', voices cryin'
    Some are born an' some are dyin'
    It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come

    And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
    The virgins are all trimming their wicks
    The whirlwind is in the thorn tree
    It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks

    In measured hundredweight and penny pound
    When the man comes around

    And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
    And I looked and behold: a pale horse
    And his name, that sat on him, was Death
    And Hell followed with him Writer/s: John Cash
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • C from HereThis song is about God's judgement (good or bad). The virgins are those who waited for their Bridegroom (Jesus), who is "The Man", in the "The Man Comes Around". The Man, Jesus, who came the 1st time as the Lamb of God, and according the Book of Revelation, comes the 2nd time as a Judge with rewards for some and punishments for those who rejected God's free gift of salvation through the Lamb.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.