Bad Religion
Klaus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me father
Tell me father
Oh, tell me did it hurt
Did you go too far
Or come too close

You dream in colour
Wild roses
A distant crimson flame
Could it all compare
to your love?

Sold your body
Sold your body
Sold your body
To the mines
Now there’s a fire,
On the edge of town

Can’t get behind

This bad religion
This bad religion
This bad religion
Has got me seeing things

These marked incisions
moulded flowers

If I could change you
What else would change?

If you had changed me





What else would change?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Klaus's song "Bad Religion" explore themes of pain, sacrifice, and questioning the choices made in the name of love. The song begins with a plea to the father figure, asking if the pain endured was worth it, if boundaries were crossed or if the line was blurred. This could be interpreted as a reflection on a relationship or a personal struggle with one's beliefs.


The second verse delves into the dreams and desires of the father figure, represented by vivid imagery of dreaming in color and wild roses. These aspirations are contrasted with the reality of selling one's body to the mines, implying a sacrifice made for a livelihood or for the sake of others. The mention of a fire on the edge of town could symbolize the consequences of such choices, something that the singer cannot truly understand or support.


The chorus emphasizes the singer's struggle with their own beliefs, labeling it as a "bad religion" that distorts their perception. The marked incisions and molded flowers could symbolize the scars and artificial appearances resulting from conforming to this belief system. The singer questions the possibility of changing the father figure, wondering what else would change if that were to happen. Similarly, they ponder the changes that would occur if they themselves had been different.


Overall, "Bad Religion" portrays a deep contemplation of personal sacrifice, the consequences of choices made, and the uncertainty of one's own beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me father
Please, enlighten me, father


Tell me father
I implore you, father


Oh, tell me did it hurt
Pray, did it cause pain?


Did you go too far
Did you venture beyond limits?


Or come too close
Or did you approach too near?


You dream in colour
Your subconscious sees vivid hues


Wild roses
Unrestrained and untamed blossoms


A distant crimson flame
A remote burning passion


Could it all compare to your love?
Can anything else match your love?


Sold your body
Sacrificed your physical form


Sold your body
Exchanged your corporeal self


Sold your body
Disposed of your own flesh


To the mines
To engage in arduous labor


Now there’s a fire, on the edge of town
Presently, there is a blaze near the periphery of the settlement


Can’t get behind
Unable to support or endorse


This bad religion
Such a misguided faith


This bad religion
This erroneous system of beliefs


This bad religion
This false worship


Has got me seeing things
Has caused me to perceive illusions


These marked incisions
These visible wounds


Moulded flowers
Shaped blossoms


If I could change you
In the event I could alter your essence


What else would change?
What other aspects would be transformed?


If you had changed me
Suppose you had altered my being


What else would change?
What other modifications would occur?




Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: Joe Grass

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions