The Day The World Breaks Down

Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down - The Source (2017)

The Day The World Breaks Down is the first song from the first disc of The Source, the first song of the album, and the first song in Chronicle 1: The 'Frame. Its length is 12:32. It is followed by Sea of Machines.

Plot

Prior to the events happening in this song, The President has made the decision to give control over all global systems to The 'Frame, in order to have it solve the ecological and economical crises. However, the 'Frame decides the best plan to achieve that goal is to exterminate mankind, and subsequently shuts off all life support systems, and other devices that require energy. This leads to a global blackout.

At the start of the song, the global shutdown has already begun. We hear The Historian describing the eerie silence, as the 'Frame has shut down all systems, and he wonders if this is the end of humanity.

The Opposition Leader proclaims he knew this was going to happen. The Chemist, The Opposition Leader and the Counselor express their fear.

The Prophet claims he had foreseen this end all along, and that humanity still has a future

The Captain, unwavering as always, knew all along that this would happen, and has prepared for this eventuality. He has built a spaceship, the Starblade, that will allow a small group of humans to escape Alpha. The Astronomer agrees that The Captain's plan is the best way forward, and that humanity's fate lies in the stars.

The President blames himself for the outcome of the situation (I mean obviously), and wants to make amends. He says he'll use any means necessary to stop the 'Frame. The Diplomat is a bit more realistic, and conveys that the means to survival lie in cooperation between all of society.

The Biologist observes the pandemonium everywhere.

Singers

• Tommy Karevik as The Opposition Leader
• Russell Allen as The President
• Michael Eriksen as The Diplomat
• Simone Simons as The Counselor
• Tobias Sammet as The Captain
• Nils K. Rue as The Prophet
• Michael Mills as TH-1
• Tommy Rogers as The Chemist
• Floor Jansen as The Biologist
• Hansi Kürsch as The Astronomer
• James LaBrie as The Historian

Lyrics

[Historian]
A silence so deafening, as the stillness surrounds us
A rush of fear is surging through our veins
A shadows so menacing darkens our horizon
What have we done, is this the end... when death descends?

[Opposition Leader]
Don't say I didn't warn you, you'll recall my words
The day that the world breaks down
Don't claim you didn't see it, are you prepared to die
The day that the world breaks down

[Chemist]
I can't believe we're in danger
I can't believe that we've let it come this far

[Counselor]
We must prepare for the changes
We must prepare for the day that the world breaks down

[Opposition Leader]
Don't expect we will survive this, there'll be no way back
The day that the world breaks down
Don't assume it's all a nightmare, we won't stand a chance
The day that the world breaks down

[Chemist]
I can't believe this is happening
I can't believe we are headed for a fall

[Counselor]
We must prepare for the blackening
We must prepare for the day that the world breaks down

[Prophet]
I can feel it in my heart, I can see it in the stars
Behold, it's all been foretold, the future unfolds
The day that the world breaks down!

[Captain]
I always knew this would happen
Not many believed in my cause
I'm sure they will all turn to me now, I'm sure I am the only one
who can save us... (TH-1: Starblade!) from this fate

I always knew they would need me
Not many showed faith in my plans
I'm sure they will listen to me now,
I'm sure that I'm the only one
who can save us... (TH-1: Starblade!) from this fate

[Astronomer]
Yes, I believe you are the answer
Yes, I agree you are the key
Your future lies in the heavens, our future lies beyond the stars (TH-1: Starblade!) we will save them (TH-1: Starblade!)
We will save them (TH-1: Starblade!) from this fate!

[TH-1]
01110100 01110010 01110101 01110011 01110100 01010100 01001000 00110001

[President]
I must've been blind, I mean, it should have been obvious
Straight out of my mind to rely on a cold machine
The signs were strong, I know I was wrong, I know they will hate me now
Ooh, but I will come clean, and destroy this cold machine

[Diplomat]
This is not over, not as long as we're alive
If we join our force we will make it
This is not over, as a race we must survive
And in the end we'll cross this bridge... together

[President]
We're losing this fight, and yes, we've got ourselves to blame
I guess it seems right in the mind of the cold machine
I'll fix every flaw, I'll break every law
I'll tear up the rulebook if that's what it takes
You will see, I will crush this cold machine

[Diplomat]
This is not over, I am sure we will find a way
Out of this desperate situation
This is not over, even if it all seems hopeless
For in the end we'll cross this bridge... together

[Biologist]
I can feel it in the air, the signs are everywhere
Communications grind to a halt, traffic has stopped
The grid starts to fail, planes crashing down
We're getting closer to the day... the world breaks down