Museum
A. Virgin Lyrics
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Companions since birth...
in this stagnant dingy haunt
he never really lived.
Last night I beat him as he would not leave
My insane eyes stare at him as his welted body bleeds
Frequently I rape him as I know nothing else
He curls up like a fetus and paints his face with sadness
I bandage his wounds, I kiss the face of Jesus Christ but he is dead
What can I do?
You have forsaked me, called yourself messiah, expected me to follow
But now he is dead and his prophecies with him
I will bury him not as insult to your face
as I stare at his corpse one detail disturbs me
His cold stark finger points where I have not been...
From my house, a cage of rotten wood
I stumble forth to lay beneath the bush
withered bones groan,
I cultivate as the soil and I grow closer
The sun receives an empty gaze
it mourns
it knows my life is gone
No more to offer but my flesh to this soil
and a single tear marks my final prayer
a rosebud sits in the palm of your hand as I end
this flower
it blossoms
The lyrics of A. Virgin's song "Museum" depict a disturbing and dark narrative, exploring themes of abuse, religious disillusionment, and personal transformation. The song begins with the singer describing Jesus lying dying in their bed, symbolizing a deep connection or familiarity that has existed since birth. However, the phrase "he never really lived" suggests that Jesus, in this context, may represent an idea or belief rather than a tangible person.
The next lines reveal a violent and tormenting relationship between the singer and Jesus. The singer confesses to beating Jesus for not leaving, emphasizing their unstable mental state with the mention of insane eyes. The act of rape mentioned is likely metaphorical, symbolizing a forceful imposition or violation of the singer's religious beliefs. Jesus' reaction to these abuses is depicted as curling up like a fetus, highlighting a sense of vulnerability and sadness.
Despite the violent actions committed against Jesus, a fragment of remorse surfaces within the singer. They bandage Jesus' wounds and kiss his face, but it becomes apparent that Jesus is dead. The singer expresses a feeling of abandonment, as Jesus called himself a messiah and expected their loyal following. With Jesus dead, his prophecies are rendered meaningless.
The singer contemplates how to handle Jesus' death, expressing a desire to bury him without insulting his face. However, one detail disturbs the singer as they stare at Jesus' corpse: his cold stark finger pointing to an unexplored path. This detail suggests that Jesus, in his teachings or message, may have been pointing the singer towards a different way of life or self-discovery.
The final verses of the lyrics shift the focus to the singer's personal journey. They describe their house as a cage of rotten wood, symbolizing the limitations and decay of their previous beliefs. As they leave the house and lay beneath a bush, weary bones groan, indicating a physical and emotional transformation. The singer likens themselves to the soil, implying a process of cultivation and growth. The sun, personified as receiving an empty gaze and mourning, represents the loss of the singer's former life or identity.
The lyrics conclude with the singer reflecting on their final prayer, symbolized by a single tear. A rosebud, representing potential or rebirth, sits in the palm of someone's hand as the singer's life comes to an end. Through this final act, the singer's inner flower blossoms, signifying a final transformation or acceptance of their new path.
Overall, "Museum" delves into the complex emotions surrounding abuse, disillusionment, and personal growth. It explores the aftermath of a destructive relationship with religious ideals and the singer's journey towards a new understanding of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus lies dying in my bed
The singer's distorted perception of themselves as Jesus, feeling the weight of their own destructive actions and facing their impending demise.
Companions since birth... in this stagnant dingy haunt
Highlighting the long-lasting relationship with their inner demons, living in a desolate and bleak environment.
he never really lived.
Implying that the singer's existence has been dominated by chaos, devoid of true meaning or fulfillment.
Last night I beat him as he would not leave
Expressing the artist's self-destructive tendencies, resorting to violence to silence their inner turmoil as it refuses to be suppressed.
My insane eyes stare at him as his welted body bleeds
Reflecting the madness and obsession within the artist, finding a sick satisfaction in witnessing the physical pain and suffering they inflict upon themselves.
Frequently I rape him as I know nothing else
Portraying the singer's deep-rooted emotional turmoil, resorting to destructive behaviors and inner violence as their only means of connection and release.
He curls up like a fetus and paints his face with sadness
Depicting the vulnerability and helplessness of the singer's inner self, seeking solace in a state of submission and expressing profound sadness.
Now a fragment of remorse has etched
Exploring a minor sense of regret or guilt within the artist, acknowledging the consequences and potential damage caused by their actions.
I bandage his wounds, I kiss the face of Jesus Christ but he is dead
Conveying a futile attempt to rectify the damage inflicted upon their inner self, realizing that any repentance or healing comes too late as their true essence has already perished.
What can I do?
Expressing a sense of helplessness and desperation, questioning the possibilities of redemption or transformation given the irreversible state of their inner self.
You have forsaked me, called yourself messiah, expected me to follow
Accusing an external force, possibly religious or societal influences, for abandoning the singer and imposing unrealistic expectations upon them as a supposed savior or leader.
But now he is dead and his prophecies with him
Recognizing the demise and irrelevance of the artist's former identity and beliefs, acknowledging that any hopes or visions of a better future are now extinguished.
I will bury him not as insult to your face
Expressing the singer's intention to let go of their former self without disrespecting any external entity they once believed in or rejecting their past completely.
as I stare at his corpse one detail disturbs me
Displaying a moment of introspection, as the singer contemplates their past actions and their consequences, feeling uneasy about a particular aspect of their former self.
His cold stark finger points where I have not been...
Symbolizing the realization that the singer's previous existence was limited and confined, and now they must explore uncharted territories and aspects of their own identity.
From my house, a cage of rotten wood
Highlighting the artist's oppressive and deteriorating living conditions, representing their warped mental state and entrapment within their own mind.
I stumble forth to lay beneath the bush
Depicting the artist's metaphorical journey or search for solace and tranquility, seeking refuge in nature as they attempt to move beyond their destructive patterns.
withered bones groan, I cultivate as the soil
Metaphorically representing the singer's inner self, damaged and worn, struggling to find growth and resilience amidst their own decay and pain.
and I grow closer
Suggesting a gradual progression or evolution within the singer's journey, inching closer to a potential resolution or self-discovery.
The sun receives an empty gaze it mourns it knows my life is gone
Portraying a desolate state of disconnection, where the external world fails to elicit any emotional response from the artist, realizing the loss of their own vitality and purpose.
No more to offer but my flesh to this soil
Expressing a sense of resignation, perceiving their own worth only in their physical existence, finding solace in being a mere component of the natural world.
and a single tear marks my final prayer
Symbolizing a final act of vulnerability and surrender, encapsulating the artist's plea or plea for release from their inner turmoil as they prepare for the end.
a rosebud sits in the palm of your hand as I end this flower it blossoms
Conveying a sense of rebirth or regeneration, as the singer's journey comes to an end, suggesting the potential for growth and transformation even in the face of destruction and despair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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DanteBotasNegras
I saw them once in Maplewood MN back in 2007 and I remember I was so amazed! I mean, he sang for two hours straight, no rest at all and his voice kept the same. It's one of the greatest thing I've witnessed.
Casey Hogan
I was there. Wonderful people.
Makram A.
What happened to them???????
Makram A.
they are odf the sxene for a great while now!
muffinzombie
Holy shit, this guy's voice is beautiful.
José Albarrán Cortez
Samantha's guitar solo is amazing. A master piece!
semme semmson
absolute blast. the rhythmic pattern of 6/8ths, 4/8ths and then 6/8ths again (or however they wrote it down in their scores) with the drum doing always something different is fucking amazing. one of the best guitar solos I know
William Koscielniak
Reminds me of David Gilmour, and there aren't too many guitarists I can say that about.
William Koscielniak
Not a big fan of this band in general but this song is a an absolute masterpiece.
Jorge Alberto Ramirez Aviles
I completely agree. This is a gold song