“Gates of Tomorrow” is the sixth track from Iron Maiden’s Dance of Death.
Lyrics are quite cryptic, but the song seems to deal with the theme of personal responsibility on one’s own life, and with the contrast between the concepts of determinism and free will.
[Verse 1]
Weaving a thread round your heart and your soul
Deceiving your eyes and delaying your goal
Ships in the night when they pass out of sight
Deliver their cargo of earthly delights
[Verse 2]
To the women and children, the souls of the dead
I've opened their book, and no mercy is shed
You want forgiveness, and you want it cheap
I don't give redemption rewards for the meek
[Pre-Chorus]
Suffering evil when you pay the price of fame
There isn't a god to save you
If you don't save yourself
You can't blame a madman for this if you go insane
Give me the strength so I carry on
[Chorus 1]
Trapped in a web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, no mercy is shed
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, slaves to the dead
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
[Instrumental Break: 2:57-3:56]
[Pre-Chorus]
Suffering evil when you pay the price of fame
There isn't a god to save you
If you don't save yourself
You can't blame a madman for this if you go insane
Give me the strength so I carry on
[Chorus 2]
Trapped in a web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, slaves to the dead
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, no mercy is shed
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in a web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Gates of Tomorrow was written by Steve Harris & Bruce Dickinson & Janick Gers.
Gates of Tomorrow was produced by Steve Harris & Kevin Shirley.
Iron Maiden released Gates of Tomorrow on Mon Sep 08 2003.