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The Dead Peddler
Hate Dept. Lyrics
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Speak to me narcotic god, in your temple, help me? Save me?
Victory over you (trash man) is to see you dead.
Dancing in your blood. Glory in your pain.
You are clean.
We are clean.
Weakness shows, when you see my eyes; clear, confident and unafraid.
Make your offer: extend your soul; fading, sensual and inviting.
Poison follows you cock-roach + you are next.
Dancing in your blood. Glory in your suffering.
A dead peddler.
After feeding on the young and weak, now you're face down on the street.
We are clean.
You are clean.
The dead peddler.
The peddler is dead.
The lyrics of Hate Dept.'s song The Dead Peddler speak about the confrontation between the singer and the titular peddler. The lyrics are filled with contradictory imagery and themes which perplex the listener. In the beginning, the singer seems to ask for help from a "narcotic god" in the temple, possibly referencing the singer's battle with addiction. However, the lyrics soon turn dark as the singer claims that the "victory over [the] trash man" (the peddler) is to see him dead. The singer then indulges in the glory of death and pain, leading one to wonder about the motivations of the singer - are they avenging someone or are they merely sadistic?
The latter half of the lyrics is equally perplexing as the singer confronts someone who they describe as "fading, sensual, and inviting." Here, the lyrics suggest that the person has an offer to extend their soul, yet the singer quickly turns on the person with venomous imagery - "Poison follows you cockroach + you are next." The song ends with the singer reveling in the death of the peddler, who fed on the "young and weak."
Overall, Hate Dept.'s song The Dead Peddler is a bleak and nihilistic piece. It speaks to the darker impulses of human nature and the ways in which we can justify violence and death. It is also unclear who the singer is or what their motivations are, leading the listener to come to their own conclusions about the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother on the street; reach into your pocket, reach into mine.
Requesting for an equal contribution from the listener in a seemingly dire situation.
Speak to me narcotic god, in your temple, help me? Save me?
Pleading to a supposed higher power for salvation from the situation at hand.
Victory over you (trash man) is to see you dead.
Claiming that the only way to win against an adversary is through their death.
Dancing in your blood. Glory in your pain.
Finding pleasure in the pain and suffering of the defeated opponent.
You are clean.
Asserting that the listener is not involved in any wrongdoing.
We are clean.
Affirming the innocence and purity of the singer and the listener.
The peddler is dead, with a kicked in head.
Announcing the death of a peddler who has presumably caused harm or offense.
Weakness shows, when you see my eyes; clear, confident and unafraid.
Implying that maintaining a tough and unaffected demeanor is a sign of strength.
Make your offer: extend your soul; fading, sensual and inviting.
Suggesting that an offer made by the listener is enticing but temporary and insincere.
Poison follows you cock-roach + you are next.
Threatening the listener with impending danger and punishment.
Dancing in your blood. Glory in your suffering.
Again, reveling in the pain and suffering of the listener.
A dead peddler.
Reiterating the death of the aforementioned peddler.
After feeding on the young and weak, now you're face down on the street.
Accusing the listener of preying on and exploiting the vulnerable, and now receiving retribution for those actions.
We are clean.
Once again declaring the innocence and lack of culpability for the singer and the listener.
You are clean.
Confirming that the listener has not contributed to or caused any harm.
The dead peddler.
A final statement on the death of the peddler, perhaps summarizing the entire song's theme of retribution and revelry in violence.
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.