Paradox
Downcast Lyrics


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Capitol punishment had never worked, it serves as no deterrence. What you show is that it's accepted to kills as long as you choose the occurrence. You can't claim that money is the issue this time, because it's cheaper to keep them alive. What I see is an archaic society consumed by a violent drive. Violence is the enemy not the people you're keeping alive. What I see is an archaic society consumed by a violent drive. Kill a killer and you become a killer because "that's what they deserve." When you kill a killer then you become the killer and what purpose does that serve. You kill and kill and kill again so that people won't kill? More die and die but it's a deterrent only in your blind eye. Maybe we ought to study the killers (or you) and see what drives the killing kind. We could search for a way to prevent further death, but that would never cross your bloodthirsty mind. Let it cross your mind




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Downcast's song "Paradox" delve into the issue of capital punishment and the flawed reasoning behind it. The song suggests that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime and only perpetuates a cycle of violence that ultimately harms society. The lyricist criticizes the idea that killing a killer somehow serves justice, highlighting the paradox of becoming the very thing we claim to condemn.


The first stanza of the song highlights the ineffectiveness of the death penalty, emphasizing that it does not serve as a deterrent to crime. The second stanza critiques the idea that the death penalty is a necessary evil due to financial constraints, pointing out that it's actually cheaper to keep someone alive than to execute them. The third and fourth stanzas address the consequences of enacting capital punishment, arguing that it only perpetuates a cycle of violence and ultimately harms society as a whole.


The song ends with a call to action, suggesting that we ought to focus on preventing the underlying causes of crime rather than simply punishing the perpetrators. It highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in reducing violence, and urges listeners to consider the paradoxical nature of relying on violence to create peace.


Line by Line Meaning

Capitol punishment had never worked, it serves as no deterrence.
Executing criminals has never been effective in preventing crime.


What you show is that it's accepted to kills as long as you choose the occurrence.
By executing killers, society sends a message that killing is acceptable when done as punishment.


You can't claim that money is the issue this time, because it's cheaper to keep them alive.
The cost of keeping killers alive is lower than the cost of killing them through the death penalty.


What I see is an archaic society consumed by a violent drive.
The use of capital punishment reflects a society driven by violence and vengeance.


Violence is the enemy not the people you're keeping alive.
The true enemy is violence, not the criminals who are kept alive.


Kill a killer and you become a killer because "that's what they deserve."
Punishing a criminal with death makes society no better than the criminal who committed the crime.


When you kill a killer then you become the killer and what purpose does that serve.
By killing a killer, society becomes just as guilty of committing murder.


You kill and kill and kill again so that people won't kill?
Continuing to execute criminals in order to prevent violence is a flawed cycle that only leads to more death.


More die and die but it's a deterrent only in your blind eye.
The belief that capital punishment deters crime is based on a flawed perception and does not hold up in reality.


Maybe we ought to study the killers (or you) and see what drives the killing kind.
Instead of solely punishing criminals, society should seek to understand the factors that lead people to commit violent acts.


We could search for a way to prevent further death, but that would never cross your bloodthirsty mind.
Attempting to prevent crime and violence is not a priority for those who advocate for capital punishment.


Let it cross your mind
The hope is that those who support capital punishment will reconsider and think more deeply about the flaws and impacts of this approach.




Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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