8 Men and 4 Women
Diamanda Galás Lyrics
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Lord, that's the jury of love)
I dreamed that love was a crime
I was alone, so lonely and blue
You know why? Because eight men and four women, Lord
They found me guilty of loving you (loving you)
You were taking, I saw you when you were taking the witness stand
You know what? I heard the lawyer when he asked you, my love
"Do you really love that man?"
It was eight men and four women (guilty)
How could they be so blind (guilty)
How could they? I knew they sat there
And called true love a crime (this is what killed me)
But a tear rolled down my cheek
I felt so sorry for you
You know why? Because in my heart I knew, oh yes, baby I knew
That they would find you guilty too
Judge, your honor and to the jury
I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are innocent
And true love is not a crime
(Lord, that's the jury of love)
Lord, that's the jury of love
A mean judge and a mean jury, oh, that's the jury of love
(Lord, that's the jury of love)
(Lord, that's the jury of love) (fade)
The lyrics of Diamanda Galás's song "8 Men and 4 Women" narrate a dream sequence of unrequited love and the challenge of the societal norms that come with it. The lyrics are allegorical as it conveys a trial scene where the justice system puts the singer on trial for the crime of loving someone. As the lyrics mention, "eight men and four women," it is implied that she is facing a jury, and despite the lack of evidence to prove guilt, the jury convicts her for the crime of loving someone.
The lyrics are deeply insightful as it portrays the irony of the justice system by highlighting the trial of an innocent "crime." It also touches upon the challenges of societal norms, where love is seen through the lens of morality rather than the emotion itself. The singer feels pity towards the convicted lover as she knows that society would punish them for loving each other. The lyrics further suggest that they will be acquitted because their love isn't a crime at all.
Line by Line Meaning
Eight men, four women
The number of people making up the jury.
Lord, that's the jury of love
A sarcastic exclamation about the absurdity of love being judged in a court of law.
I dreamed that love was a crime
The singer had a dream that love was illegal and punishable by law.
I was alone, so lonely and blue
The artist felt isolated and sad because of their love.
You know why? Because eight men and four women, Lord
The artist blames the number of people on the jury for their conviction.
They found me guilty of loving you (loving you)
The jury found the singer guilty of loving someone, specifically the person addressed in the song.
As they were taking me away
The singer is being escorted out of the courthouse after being convicted.
You were taking, I saw you when you were taking the witness stand
The person addressed in the song was a witness in the trial.
You know what? I heard the lawyer when he asked you, my love
The artist is addressing the person they love, recounting what they heard during the trial.
"Do you really love that man?"
The lawyer questioned the person addressed in the song about their feelings for the artist.
How could they be so blind (guilty)
The singer questions how the jury could find them guilty for something as natural as love.
I knew they sat there
The artist is stating that they know the jury listened to every word spoken during the trial.
And called true love a crime (this is what killed me)
The singer is deeply hurt and upset that the jury viewed their love as a crime.
But a tear rolled down my cheek
The singer became emotional, crying because of the trial's outcome.
I felt so sorry for you
The singer pities the person addressed in the song for being involved in such a situation.
That they would find you guilty too
The artist believes that the person addressed in the song will also be found guilty by the jury.
Judge, your honor and to the jury
The artist is addressing the entire group of people involved in the trial.
I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are innocent
The singer plans on fighting the conviction and proving that they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
And true love is not a crime
The singer presents the argument that love should not be a punishable offense.
A mean judge and a mean jury, oh, that's the jury of love
The artist views the people involved in the trial as being harsh and unfair, likening them to a jury of love.
(Lord, that's the jury of love)
Repetition of the earlier sarcastic exclamation about the absurdity of love being judged in a court of law.
(fade)
The song fades out, ending the story of the trial and its outcome.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON ROBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind