Empires – English Lyrics

• By: The Smashing Pumpkins
• Album: ATUM

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, empires

Oh, 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 Grammar Structures

• 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").

• 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".