2 Minutes to Midnight Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro 00:00-00:32]
[Verse 1]
Kill for gain or shoot to maim
But we don't need a reason
The Golden Goose is on the loose
And never out of season
Blackened pride still burns inside
This shell of bloody treason
Here's my gun for a barrel of fun
For the love of living death
[Pre-Chorus]
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Verse 2]
The blind men shout, "Let the creatures out
We'll show the unbelievers"
Napalm screams of human flames
For a prime-time Belsen feast, yeah!
As the reasons for the carnage cut their meat
And lick the gravy
We oil the jaws of the war machine
And feed it with our babies
[Verse 1]
Kill for gain or shoot to maim
But we don't need a reason
The Golden Goose is on the loose
And never out of season
Blackened pride still burns inside
This shell of bloody treason
Here's my gun for a barrel of fun
For the love of living death
[Pre-Chorus]
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Verse 2]
The blind men shout, "Let the creatures out
We'll show the unbelievers"
Napalm screams of human flames
For a prime-time Belsen feast, yeah!
As the reasons for the carnage cut their meat
And lick the gravy
We oil the jaws of the war machine
And feed it with our babies
[Pre-Chorus]
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Instrumental Break 02:45-04:22]
[Guitar Solo: Dave Murray]
[Guitar Solo: Adrian Smith]
[Verse 3]
The body bags and little rags
Of children torn in two
And the jellied brains of those who remain
To put the finger right on you
As the madmen play on words
And make us all dance to their song
To the tune of starving millions
To make a better kind of gun
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Instrumental Break 02:45-04:22]
[Guitar Solo: Dave Murray]
[Guitar Solo: Adrian Smith]
[Verse 3]
The body bags and little rags
Of children torn in two
And the jellied brains of those who remain
To put the finger right on you
As the madmen play on words
And make us all dance to their song
To the tune of starving millions
To make a better kind of gun
[Pre-Chorus]
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Post-Chorus]
Midnight
Midnight
Midnight
It's all night
Midnight
Midnight
Midnight
It's all night
[Outro]
Midnight
All night!
The killer's breed or the demon's seed
The glamour, the fortune, the pain
Go to war again, blood is freedom's stain
Don't you pray for my soul anymore
[Chorus]
Two minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
Two minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb
[Post-Chorus]
Midnight
Midnight
Midnight
It's all night
Midnight
Midnight
Midnight
It's all night
[Outro]
Midnight
All night!
About
Genius Annotation
Released as the first single from their 1984 album Powerslave, Iron Maiden deliver another riff-heavy song. The subject of this rocker is the Doomsday Clock, an international symbol of how close the world is to destruction.
http://thebulletin.org/overview
On the Live After Death DVD, singer Bruce Dickinson said
It’s about the romance of war, and how we’re all repelled and fascinated by it at the same time.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
What did Iron Maiden say about "2 Minutes to Midnight"?
Genius Answer
It’s about the romance of war, and how we’re all repelled and fascinated by it at the same time.
Bruce Dickinson, on Live After Death DVD.
- 1.Aces High
- 2.2 Minutes to Midnight
- 7.Powerslave
Credits
Producer
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Copyright ©
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Mastering Engineer
Vocals
Bass
Guitars
Drums
Management
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Phonographic Copyright ℗
Label
Recorded At
Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas
Release Date
August 6, 1984
2 Minutes to Midnight Live Performances
2 Minutes to Midnight Translations
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