Need Help Interpreting Lyrics - "Welcome to the Black Parade" (in Off-topic)


Xenko February 28 2007 3:23 PM EST

In the lyrics, he refers to "she"... can someone please explain to me who "she" is since he just finished singing about his father? $50k to someone who provides a good explanation.

Highlighted the relevant sections... if you need more of the lyrics, google them...

When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"
He said
"Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made?
Because one day I'll leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join the black parade."

When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"

Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go. Through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies in the streets.
When you're gone we want you all to know We'll Carry on,
We'll Carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
Carry on
We'll carry on
And in my heart I cant contain it
The anthem wont explain it.

Flamey February 28 2007 3:34 PM EST

"To join the black parade."

the black parade is death, to join the afterlife.


"Because one day I'll leave you,"

His dad will die.

That's all I've got, lol.

AdminLamuness February 28 2007 3:38 PM EST


He said
"Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made?
Because one day I'll leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join the black parade."

His father will not always be there, though his presence will be felt. So even though the father is not there to guide him, will the son be able to overcome his own adversity? Because if he doesn't, it'll surely be his own destruction.

Admin{CB1}Slayer333 [SHIELD] February 28 2007 3:39 PM EST

After looking through a web page of song meanings and discussions - I've concluded that "she" is either the dying mans widow, or some sort of female influence in his life.

Xiaz on Hiatus February 28 2007 3:42 PM EST

Might be pretty simple actually, could be his mother, or The Mother.

Xiaz on Hiatus February 28 2007 3:45 PM EST

I forgot the obvious too, his lover/wife.

QBBarzooMonkey February 28 2007 3:54 PM EST

I think it's an allegory - the narrator is comparing his slow death due to cancer to Jesus Christ's march through the streets, to be crucified. The Black Parade is the slow march toward death, his father is God, and "she" is the woman who will be his widow when he lets go. He is full of doubts as to whether his life and death have had and/or will have any meaning or impact...

I came to this conclusion after reading the rest of the lyrics as well, and watching the video...

smallpau1 - Go Blues [Lower My Fees] February 28 2007 4:00 PM EST

If you watch the video, it seems to me hes talking about some supernatural being, and he points up into the sky, so could he be talking about a female God?

TheHatchetman February 28 2007 4:04 PM EST

Those lyrics are simple, and mean about the same as any other song of the genre:

"I wish i was born a girl. My parents didn't love me. I wasn't popular in school. I have bad teeth, so you'll never see me smile. Hey look at me, I don't care what people think of me. Hey, are you looking? I said look!!! I'm out of things to whine about, so I'm gonna whine about the fact that I have nothing to whine about. Hey look, I'm wearing makeup and crying into a microphone... Pay me!!!"


NOTE: I didn't read the lyrics, I think I've heard the song before. I'm just speaking out *against* emo... :)

smallpau1 - Go Blues [Lower My Fees] February 28 2007 4:09 PM EST

I love Barzoos interpretation! But its pretty much anybodies opinion on what it could mean, doesnt have to be one particular one, thats the cool thing about music.

DreadedTiger [4x20] (-x) February 28 2007 6:40 PM EST

I much prefer TH's interpretation..

Welcome to the Emo Parade.

JaKobi1Kenobi [Shrimp gang] February 28 2007 8:22 PM EST

He said
"Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made?
Because one day I'll leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join the black parade."

his father is trying to say will you defeat your evils and the people that dont beleive in you, because hes not always going to be there to help him out


Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me.

some lover thats looking out for him up in heaven. if you watch the video you can get this answer.

Xenko March 1 2007 9:02 PM EST

Kultur [t] (Theseus) 74.101.169.160 QBBarzooMonkey [t]
(Ninja Pirate Monkeys) $50000 -- Explaining Lyrics 9:02 PM EST

Barzoo had the best explanation. Thanks!
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