The lead singer and songwriter from Antony and the Johnsons has collaborated with Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke on her latest work. With her official name changed to ANOHNI, the album HOPELESSNESS is set to an electronic dance soundtrack with soulful vocals and direct lyrics addressing surveillance, drone warfare, and ecocide. HOPELESSNESS is a departure from the singer's recent symphonic collaborations. The album seeks to disrupt assumptions about popular music by embedding vigorously political lyrics within dance/pop tracks.
Jesus Will Kill You
Anohni Lyrics
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Why you make me so sick?
Why you take and take?
And even change the laws
You deregulate
Seek to destroy our homes
You're a mean old man
You're a mean old man
What's your legacy?
What's your legacy?
Burning fields in Iraq
Burning fields in Nigeria
Burning oceans
Burning populations
Our burning lungs, our burning lungs, our burning lungs
Burning people
Burning hope
Burnt planet
All for your wealth
Your wealth is predicated upon the poverty of others
Others must be poor
If you're to be rich
What is your dream?
And when will it end?
You're a mean old man
You're a mean old man
What do you want?
What do you want?
What do you hope for?
For Jesus to kill you?
For Jesus will kill you
For Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
Your soft seat, your soft face
Your protected babies
But Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
Jesus will kill you
The lyrics to Anohni's song "Jesus Will Kill You" explore themes of power, corruption, and the destructive consequences of greed and oppression. The song criticizes those who exploit and harm others for personal gain, questioning their actions and the legacy they leave behind.
The opening lines, "Why you hurt me? Why you make me so sick?" depict the singer's anguish and confusion towards the actions of the person they are addressing. It suggests that the subject of the song has caused pain and suffering, both on an individual level and on a broader societal scale.
The lyrics then highlight the destructive actions taken by this individual or group, such as changing laws, deregulating, and seeking to destroy homes. The repetition of "You're a mean old man" further emphasizes the morally reprehensible nature of their behavior.
The second verse delves into the consequences of their actions, using vivid imagery to depict the burning fields in Iraq and Nigeria, burning oceans, and burning populations. The burning lungs symbolize the harm caused to individuals and the planet as a whole.
The lyrics continue to question their motives and reveal the underlying foundation of their wealth – the poverty of others. The reference to Jesus in the chorus may suggest a hope for divine justice and retribution against those who perpetuate such inequality and harm.
Overall, the lyrics of "Jesus Will Kill You" convey a powerful message of condemnation towards those who exploit and harm others for personal gain, while also expressing a desire for justice to be served.
Line by Line Meaning
Why you hurt me?
Why do you cause me pain and suffering?
Why you make me so sick?
Why do you make me feel disgusted and ill?
Why you take and take?
Why do you continuously take everything without giving back?
And even change the laws
And even manipulate the laws to benefit yourself
You deregulate
You remove regulations, causing chaos and harm
Seek to destroy our homes
You actively work to ruin our living spaces
You're a mean old man
You are a cruel and heartless individual
What's your legacy?
What will be your lasting impact on the world?
Burning fields in Iraq
Devastating and destroying fields in Iraq
Burning fields in Nigeria
Setting ablaze fields in Nigeria
Burning oceans
Causing the destruction and pollution of our oceans
Burning populations
Causing harm and suffering to entire communities
Our burning lungs, our burning lungs, our burning lungs
The damage inflicted upon our respiratory systems
Burning people
Causing harm and suffering to individuals
Burning hope
Destroying any sense of optimism and faith
Burnt planet
Turning the Earth into a charred and ruined environment
All for your wealth
All done to increase your personal riches
Your wealth is predicated upon the poverty of others
Your fortune depends on the impoverishment of those less fortunate
Others must be poor
In order for you to maintain your wealth, others must suffer in poverty
If you're to be rich
It is necessary for you to exploit and oppress others in order to achieve wealth
What is your dream?
What is your ultimate aspiration?
And when will it end?
When will your destructive actions cease?
What do you want?
What are your desires and motivations?
What do you hope for?
What are your wishes and expectations?
For Jesus to kill you?
Do you desire punishment from a higher power?
For Jesus will kill you
Because of your actions, you will face divine retribution
Your soft seat, your soft face
Your comfortable position of power and privilege
Your protected babies
Your offspring shielded from the consequences of your actions
But Jesus will kill you
Despite your earthly protections, divine justice will prevail
Jesus will kill you
You will face the consequences of your deeds
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Ross Matthew Birchard, Anthony P Hegarty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind