Judas Priest - The Serpent and the King Lyrics
Idols to their worlds
Manifesting anger
Conjurers of evil times
We can sense the danger
They claim every soul
Show you who’s the leader
Bow before iconoclasts
Creators of disaster
They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake
To them we are a fantasy to see who’s first to break
When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate
Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate
The serpent and the king
Time to meet your doom
The serpent and the king
Wiping out the weak
Lording their creation
Where you hide they’ll find to seek
Feeding those mistaken
Pyramid of bones
Satiate their hunger
Volatilic they condone
Sympathise no longer
They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake
To them we are fantasy to see who’s first to break
When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate
Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate
The serpent and the king
The end is coming soon
The serpent and the king
It’s time to meet your doom
Cast out of paradise temptation’s wrath
Constrict self sacrifice the tree of life
They claim every soul show you who’s the leader
Bow before iconoclasts creators of disaster
They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake
To them we are fantasy to see who’s first to break
When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate
Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate
The serpent and the king
The end is coming soon
The serpent and the king
Prepare to meet your doom
"The Serpent and the King" by Judas Priest: Analysis
Storyline:
The song doesn't present a linear story. Instead, it paints a picture of a struggle between good and evil, personified by "the serpent and the king." These figures are portrayed as powerful and destructive, manipulating the world and playing with human fate. The lyrics leave it unclear whether good or evil will ultimately prevail.
Themes:
- The battle between good and evil: This is the central theme, expressed through the conflict between the serpent and the king.
- Destructive power: The song emphasizes the destructive potential of both good and evil forces, leaving the listener with a sense of unease.
- Human vulnerability: Humans are depicted as pawns in the game between these powerful forces, with their fate uncertain.
Key Words and Meanings:
- Serpent and king: Represent the forces of evil, possibly referencing figures like Satan or tyrants.
- Idols, conjurers, iconoclasts: Depict the destructive and manipulative nature of these forces.
- Sulphur, pyramid of bones, satiate their hunger: Imagery associated with death, destruction, and evil's insatiable appetite.
- Doom, meet your doom: Foreshadow the potential defeat of the serpent and the king.
- Paradise, temptation, sacrifice: References to religious themes associated with good and evil.
Emotional Analysis:
The song evokes a sense of fear, unease, and uncertainty. The lyrics paint a dark picture of the world, where powerful forces are at play and human fate is uncertain. There is a hint of hope in the potential defeat of the evil forces, but the overall tone remains bleak.
Narrative Parts:
The entire song serves as a narrative, describing the nature of the conflict and its potential consequences. However, there's no linear plot progression with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Essential Parts:
The entire song contributes to the core message and themes. Every stanza reinforces the ideas of the battle between good and evil, the destructive nature of these forces, and the vulnerability of humanity.
Psychological Analysis:
The song explores the psychological concept of the "shadow," representing the dark and destructive aspects of human nature. The serpent and the king can be seen as externalizations of this shadow, highlighting the constant struggle between good and evil within humanity itself.
Overall Message:
The song offers a bleak view of the world, where powerful forces beyond human control battle for dominance. It leaves the listener pondering the nature of good and evil and the fragility of human existence.
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