According to bassist and lead lyricist Geezer Butler, he wrote the lyrics to this song after lead guitarist and longtime friend Tony Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma.
[Verse 1]
Take these bones
My spirit doesn't need them any longer
In the zone
Between the living and the dead
Take these eyes
'Cause I don't need to see another minute
Of this life
From which I'm hanging by a thread
[Verse 2]
Please let go
We'll maybe meet again in someone's vision
Who could know
If there's another world out there?
On my own
I'm crossing through the final resolution
Going home
Without a promise or a breath
[Bridge]
The hour of indecision
Too late to change your mind
Was it all superstition?
In light and in your time
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
In my time
I've tried but didn't find a real direction
Toe the line
On the periphery of life
Say goodbye
There's no escape from absolute conclusion
Life goes by
But memories remain the same
Remain the same