Lyrics & Translation
Explore the powerful rock sound of The Smashing Pumpkins with 'Empires.' This song offers a chance to dive into the band's signature blend of hard and alternative rock, while also engaging with thought-provoking lyrics about empires and control. Discover the unique elements that make this track a standout in the band's extensive discography.
[English]
Oh, empiresOh, empires
Empires your help is on the way
In bonfires slash, circuit breaks and change
Empires, empires
No, you needn't worry, hey!
'Bout your empires
Empires
You know that zero is one more than null
But a zero can't leave well-enough alone
Oh, empires
Come and meet your new gods
Livewire and stick
Shock troops and foxes stumble from the mist
Empires, empires
You should mind your trust
Of these empires
Empires
You know that zero is one more than null
But a zero can't leave well-enough alone
Who will come for you, oh no
No, no
Who can't hide from us, oh no
No, no
Pick your avatars for graves
No, no
Ooh, empires
Come and meet your new gods
Livewire and stick
Shock troops and foxes stumble from the mist
It's about your empires
Empires
It's about your empires
Empires
It's about your empires
Empires
Ooh, empires
The fascist face of faith
Empires
Kiss the brutal fist of hate, hey!
Empires
Who owns the black of the night
In your empires
Empires
Key Vocabulary
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Key Grammar Structures
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Empires your help is on the way
➔ Vocative + main clause (subject‑verb).
➔ The word "Empires" is used as a vocative, addressing the subject directly.
-
You know that zero is one more than null
➔ Content clause introduced by the complementizer "that" after a verb of cognition; comparative structure "one more than".
➔ The word "that" introduces the clause "zero is one more than null" as the object of "know".
-
But a zero can't leave well‑enough alone
➔ Modal verb "can't" + bare infinitive; adverbial phrase "well‑enough" modifying the verb.
➔ The modal "can't" expresses inability: "zero can't leave".
-
Come and meet your new gods
➔ Imperative mood with coordinated verbs linked by "and"; direct object follows the second verb.
➔ The verb "Come" is an imperative command, followed by another imperative "meet" linked with "and".
-
You should mind your trust
➔ Modal verb "should" + base verb expressing advice or recommendation.
➔ The modal "should" suggests a recommendation: "You should mind your trust".
-
Who will come for you, oh no
➔ Interrogative pronoun "who" + future simple "will come" forming a direct question.
➔ The word "who" asks about the subject of the future action "will come".
-
Pick your avatars for graves
➔ Imperative verb "Pick" followed by a direct object and a purpose prepositional phrase "for graves".
➔ The command "Pick" tells the listener to choose "your avatars" for a specific purpose ("for graves").
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Kiss the brutal fist of hate, hey!
➔ Imperative verb "Kiss" with a noun phrase containing a prepositional complement "of hate".
➔ The word "Kiss" is a direct command; "the brutal fist of hate" is the object, with "of hate" showing possession.
-
Who owns the black of the night
➔ Interrogative pronoun "who" + verb "owns" + noun phrase with prepositional modifier "of the night".
➔ The word "who" asks for the possessor of "the black of the night".
