Caligula
Circus of Fools Lyrics


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"Traitor!
I don't like your visage
Kneel before your emperor"
And order left the city of Rome
He tainted the virtue of the holy throne.
"I will show you what will happen to the ones who disobey.
Your punishment will teach them, by who's rules to play!"
The streets ran red from the rivers of blood.
To the tyrant his subjects were deceitful mud.

I am the crown
I am the crown
I am the crown
I won't step down

I am the crown of Rome.
My reign is forever graved stone.
The empire's mine, should be clear.
Let them hate, as long as they fear.

Action crates reaction
Rebellion is woken by suppression
Violence comes from violence
And people answer with vehemence
"Why are you coming at me as a group
You look so angry?
Please love me, like I love you!"
The praetorian guards pulled out their knives
And ended a pitiful and troubled life.

I am what I am
I am what I am
I am number one
I won't step down

I am the crown of Rome.
My reign is forever graved stone.
The empire's mine, should be clear.
Let them hate, as long as they fear.

I am the crown
I am the crown
I am the crown
I won't step down

I am the crown of Rome.
My reign is forever graved stone.
The empire's mine, should be clear.
Let them hate, as long as they fear.

I am the crown of Rome.
My reign is forever graved stone.
Their hate grows stronger, year after year.
Let them complain, I've nothing, nothing to fear.
Nothing to fear




Nothing to fear
Nothing to fear

Overall Meaning

The song "Caligula" by Circus of Fools is a commentary on the notorious Roman Emperor of the same name, known for his cruel and despotic rule during the first century A.D. The lyrics are written from the perspective of Caligula himself, who is portrayed as a megalomaniacal tyrant who sees himself as the rightful ruler of Rome. The opening lines, "Traitor! I don't like your visage/Kneel before your emperor" set the tone for the song, with Caligula demanding complete loyalty and submission from his subjects.


As the song progresses, Caligula's brutality is revealed through his orders to punish those who disobey him, which leads to the streets of Rome running red with blood. Despite his despotic rule, Caligula sees himself as the great and mighty ruler of Rome, the "crown" that will never step down. He is willing to let his subjects hate him, as long as they fear him, which ultimately leads to his downfall, with rebellion and violence breaking out in response to his oppression.


Overall, "Caligula" is a biting commentary on the dangerous and destructive nature of authoritarian rule, and a warning against the kind of tyranny that can arise when one person becomes too obsessed with power and control.


Line by Line Meaning

Traitor!
Addressing someone who has betrayed, violated or rebelled


I don't like your visage
Don't like the appearance or behavior of the traitor


Kneel before your emperor
Commanding the traitor to bow down to the supreme ruler


And order left the city of Rome
Chaos was unleashed and law and order slipped away from Rome


He tainted the virtue of the holy throne.
The traitor tainted the morals and splendor of the empire and monarchy


"I will show you what will happen to the ones who disobey.
Warning of severe punishment for anyone who disobeys the emperor's commands


Your punishment will teach them, by who's rules to play!"
Punishment will act as a lesson on who is in charge


The streets ran red from the rivers of blood.
There was intense violence and bloodshed on the streets


To the tyrant his subjects were deceitful mud.
The emperor regarded his people as inferior and capable of deceit


I am the crown
The emperor is the ruler and the highest authority


I am the crown
The emperor is the ruler and the highest authority


I am the crown
The emperor is the ruler and the highest authority


I won't step down
The emperor has no intentions of giving up the power and the throne


I am the crown of Rome.
The emperor is symbolic of the grandeur, glory, and legacy of Rome


My reign is forever graved stone.
The emperor's legacy and rule inscribed symbolically in stone, cementing their place in history


The empire's mine, should be clear.
The emperor owns and controls the empire and its subjects


Let them hate, as long as they fear.
It's okay if people hate the emperor as long as they are afraid of him


Action crates reaction
Violent actions committed by the ruler will result in an equal and opposite retaliation


Rebellion is woken by suppression
Suppression of people's voices and rights awakens their will to rebel


Violence comes from violence
Violence caused by the ruler will lead to more violence


And people answer with vehemence
The people will respond with fierce anger and hostility


"Why are you coming at me as a group
The ruler is confused and frightened as to why people are rebelling against him when they used to love him


You look so angry?
The ruler is questioning the reason for intense hatred and animosity against him


Please love me, like I love you!"
The ruler is pleading for loyalty, admiration, and love from the people


The praetorian guards pulled out their knives
The guards, who are loyal to the emperor, have resorted to violent measures to eliminate the rebellion


And ended a pitiful and troubled life.
The rebellion leader's life ended tragically and miserably


I am what I am
The emperor is aware of his identity and position


I am what I am
The emperor is aware of his identity and position


I am number one
The emperor is the most important and powerful person in the empire


I won't step down
The emperor has no intentions of giving up the power and the throne


Their hate grows stronger, year after year.
The people's hatred and animosity against the emperor keep growing with each passing year


Let them complain, I've nothing, nothing to fear.
The emperor is fearless and unconcerned about people's complaints and criticisms


Nothing to fear
The emperor is confident and fearless


Nothing to fear
The emperor is confident and fearless


Nothing to fear
The emperor is confident and fearless




Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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