Troublemaker
Crippled Black Phoenix Lyrics

No, Sir. Why "No, Sir"? Why do you think you would not do it again?
A conditioned response indicating fear of reprisal. There's no moral sense at work here at all.

Because they'd send me back to this place, Sir. "Because they would send me back to this place, Sir."
The singer is not motivated by a sense of right and wrong, but rather by the fear of punishment.

In my experience psychopaths rarely show the least sign of inner change or development. "Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores", as they say.
The singer believes that people's fundamental nature does not change, much like a wolf that may change its fur over time but remains a wolf.

The leopard never changes his spots.
People's nature does not change, no matter how much they may try to appear different on the surface.

Wolf, Sir.
The artist corrects the person addressing them, clarifying that "vulpes" actually means "wolf".

Did you speak, boy?
The singer is dismissive of the person addressing them, using a patronizing term of address and highlighting the power dynamic between them.

In 1605 he recoiled against the state.
Refers to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an attempt to assassinate King James I and blow up the House of Lords in protest of the treatment of Catholics in England.

Packed explosives underground.
A reference to the aforementioned Gunpowder Plot, in which explosives were placed beneath the House of Lords in an attempt to blow it up.

Companions play out their roles like some game of chess, make diplomacy unsound.
The plotters in the Gunpowder Plot had specific roles to play and acted with strategic intent, but ultimately failed in their attempt to achieve their goals.

The grails man desires he destroys through the greed in his head.
People's desire for wealth and power often leads them to destroy the very things they desire or seek to protect.

The Protestant King may go down, Trouble Maker was bred.
The singer suggests that someone who is willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals, like the Gunpowder plotters, could bring down a powerful figure like the king.

Friends, trouble may rise and trouble may ebb. Of makers and weavers of lies, carefully tread. Trouble may rise, and trouble may ebb. Step back and envisage the whole game.
The chorus warns listeners to be careful of people who spread falsehoods and cause trouble, and to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

The shipwrecked East End economic underclass knew of his modus operandi.
Refers to the way in which those who are marginalized and disadvantaged are often more aware of the powerful people and forces that shape their lives.

His thrusting and cutting weapons put scars on faces so they'd stand out in a crowd.
Those in power often use violence or other means of control to keep people in line and prevent them from challenging the status quo.

Whores talked too much for him. Trades in desire he wanted dead.
The powerful often seek to suppress information or people who threaten their position, even if that means resorting to violence or other unethical means.

This horse needs a cage not a stall, Trouble Maker was bred.
The artist suggests that those who cause trouble need to be controlled or contained in some way, as they are a threat to society.

There's ways out. We've seen them. We've heard those whispers spoken (of) corners inside this maze where Trouble Makers wills lay broken
The artist suggests that there are ways to overcome obstacles and difficult situations, and that those who cause trouble may eventually be defeated or subdued.