Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ain't found a way to kill me yet
Eyes burn with stinging sweat
Seems every path leads me to nowhere, hm-mm
Wife and kids, household pet
Army green was no safe bet
The bullets scream to me from somewhere, hm-mm
Here they come to snuff the rooster, ah yeah
Yeah, here come the rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, you know he ain't gonna die
Here they come to snuff the rooster, ah yeah
Yeah, here come the rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, you know he ain't gonna die
Walking tall machine gun man
They spit on me in my homeland
Gloria sent me pictures of my boy, hm-mm
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death
My buddy's breathin' his dying breath
Oh God, please won't you help me make it through
Here they come to snuff the rooster, ah yeah-yeah
Yeah, here come the rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, you know he ain't gonna die
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
About This Song
"Rooster" is a haunting tribute to Vietnam War veterans, written by Jerry Cantrell about his father's combat experience, with the "rooster" serving as his father's military nickname. The song captures the psychological toll of war through vivid imagery of survival, trauma, and the persistent threat of death, while exploring themes of resilience and the lasting impact of combat on soldiers and their families. Musically, it exemplifies Alice in Chains' signature style with heavy, sludgy guitar riffs, Layne Staley's tortured vocals, and a brooding atmosphere that perfectly complements the dark subject matter. The track stands as one of grunge's most powerful anti-war statements, using personal family history to create a universal meditation on the cost of conflict. Its enduring impact lies in how it humanizes the veteran experience while showcasing the band's ability to transform personal pain into deeply moving art.
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