Harvester of Sorrow
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| "Harvester of Sorrow" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Metallica | ||
| from the album ...And Justice For All | ||
| Released | 1988 | |
| Format | CD single | |
| Genre | Heavy Metal | |
| Length | 5 : 42 | |
| Label | Vertigo Records | |
| Metallica singles chronology | ||
| Eye of the Beholder | Harvester of Sorrow | One |
"Harvester of Sorrow" is the sixth song from the Metallica album ...And Justice for All. Consistent with the whole album, the lyrics are harsh and serious. Various theories regarding the meaning of the lyrics have circulated among Metallica fans. The most popular involves the story of a drunken and drugged-out man who torments his family before cracking and murdering them. Other themes posted on message boards have included abortion, slavery and the idea of a "Harvester" as a symbolic figure pushing mankind to commit terrible deeds.
Another theory about this song is that Hetfield wrote this about his feelings for his father and how he felt his fathers alcoholism tore his family apart.
During this song, on the 'Live Shit: Binge & Purge' DVD/Video, Hetfield is seen making a middle finger gesture against his left arm on the line 'shoot in" which clearly resembles syringe use. This is further indication that the song contains meaning of drug use, particularly heroin. The song is used for Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko's theme music.
| Metallica |
| Members |
|---|
| James Hetfield - Kirk Hammett - Robert Trujillo - Lars Ulrich |
| Former members: Cliff Burton - Dave Mustaine - Ron McGovney - Jason Newsted |
| Discography |
| Albums and extended plays: No Life 'Til Leather - Kill 'Em All - Ride the Lightning - Master of Puppets - Garage Days Re-Revisited - ...And Justice for All - Metallica - Load - ReLoad - Garage Inc. - S&M - St. Anger - Some Kind of Monster - Ninth studio album |
| Videography |
| DVDs and videos: Cliff 'em All - 2 of One - A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Cunning Stunts - S&M - Classic Albums: Metallica - The Black Album - Some Kind of Monster - The Videos 1989-2004 |
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It could also be that this song is written in reference to the Ukranian Famine/Genocide which is often referred to as the "Harvest of Sorrow" by acedmics. Soviets took Ukranian crops which caused them starve. Lyrics that may prove this include, "I give / You take" and "Pure black looking clear / My work is done soon here / Try getting back to me / Get back which used to be".
