Marc had played guitar since the age of 9, but started to pursue music more seriously around 1964, when he became Toby Tyler, covering songs by Bob Dylan, and Dion.
(A track recorded around this time as Mark Feld, "All At Once" has recently been discovered will be released soon.) In his teen years, Marc became known as one of the first "mods". This led him to a brief stint as a model, and he chose to leave school when he was 14 years old. He also played guitar in a band called John's Children. Marc was needed for this group as a 'Pete Townshend' figure, but after 3 months, he left the band.
Together with Steve Peregrin Took, he formed his own duo Tyrannosaurus Rex, which quickly gained a large underground following. After 3 successful albums, Steve Peregrin Took's drug habits and suggestion of doing some of his own songs was enough for Marc to kick him out of the duo. Mickey Finn quickly replaced Steve, and the new duo recorded the album A Beard Of Stars, with Marc replacing Steve's backing vocals on the tracks they already began recording.
On Marc's second album with Finn, he decided to shorten the name of the band to T. Rex, and found fame and chart succes in 1970 with Ride a White Swan.
Following that success, Marc wrote several more top 10 hits and albums, Electric Warrior(1971), The Slider (1972), Tanx(1973), Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow Or a Creamed Cage In August)(1974), Bolan's Zip-Gun(1975), Futuristic Dragon(1976) and the final album
Dandy In the Underworld(1977).
Marc Bolan tried to make it clear during his lifetime that he was NOT to be grouped in the lot called Glam Rock. In 1973, he appeared under the headline "Glam Rock Is Dead: Says Marc" - he felt he was not being treated seriously as an artist, so with Zinc Alloy onward, he moved into a Rock & Soul sound, radically different than what was the musical trend at the time. Many of Marc's fans stayed behind with the Glam movement, but Marc pursued further into less commercial music adventures, with the help of his soul-singer girlfriend, Gloria Jones. Together they had a son, Rolan Bolan, in 1975.
Tragically, Marc died in a car crash on 16 September 1977 in a purple Mini driven by Gloria Jones.
Iscariot
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I placed beside your chest
Liar
A stork of silk
With rubies in it's nest
Fire
Of my love
Will burn thee to a wizened word
A mare of wood
Elder, elm and oak
Liar
Will keep you fair
If you jest me no joke
Fire
Of my love
Will burn thee to a wizened word
For ere to go unheard.
I'm old and bruised
But my fate is that of youth
Liar
Trickster you
Be a grisly dragon's tooth
Fire
Of my love
Will burn thee to a wizened word
For ere to go unheard.
You gashed the heart of my heart
Like a Portuguese
Witch,
I'd planned for you this land
But you devoured my hand.
The lyrics of "Iscariot" by Marc Bolan are symbolic and metaphorical, touching on themes of betrayal, love, and vengeance. The opening lines talk about a box of doves beside the chest of someone (presumably the person Bolan is addressing in the song), which could represent purity, innocence, or peace. However, this image is contrasted with the harsh accusation of being a liar, indicating that this person has betrayed Bolan's trust or expectations. The stork of silk with rubies in its nest could represent the offering of something beautiful and valuable, but also hint at a certain superficiality or materialism. Again, the tone shifts with the repeated warning that Bolan's love will burn this person to a "wizened word" if they don't listen or acknowledge his feelings.
The second verse continues the theme of paradoxes and contrasts by mentioning a "mare of wood" made of elder, elm, and oak trees. These could represent different stages of life, wisdom, and strength, but are also subject to the condition that the person Bolan is addressing needs to stop joking with him. The rhyme scheme and alliteration create a sense of urgency and determination, as if Bolan is trying to convince someone of something. The repeated warning reinforces the idea that his love can turn into a destructive force if ignored or rejected.
The third verse adds an element of personal experience and emotion to the song, with Bolan confessing that he is "old and bruised" but still capable of feeling youthful and passionate. The insult of being called a trickster might imply that the person Bolan is addressing thinks he is not serious or genuine, which only fuels his anger and desire for revenge. The final lines bring the song full circle, as Bolan compares himself to a Portuguese witch who had planned something for this person but got betrayed in return. The mention of devouring a hand is particularly gruesome and adds a darker tone to the song overall.
Line by Line Meaning
A box of doves
I placed beside your chest
Liar
I gave you a gift, but you are a liar
A stork of silk
With rubies in it's nest
Fire
I offered you luxury and wealth, but I am furious with you
Of my love
Will burn thee to a wizened word
For ere to go unheard.
If you reject my love, you'll regret it and suffer from it
A mare of wood
Elder, elm and oak
Liar
I provided you with a sturdy horse, but you are untrustworthy
Will keep you fair
If you jest me no joke
Fire
If you don't betray me, I'll take care of you, but otherwise I'll be furious
I'm old and bruised
But my fate is that of youth
Liar
I may appear old, but I am optimistic and not deceived by your lies
Trickster you
Be a grisly dragon's tooth
Fire
You are a trickster, and I hope you suffer greatly for it
Of my love
Will burn thee to a wizened word
For ere to go unheard.
If you reject my love, you'll regret it and suffer from it
You gashed the heart of my heart
Like a Portuguese
Witch,
You hurt me deeply, like a curse from a witch
I'd planned for you this land
But you devoured my hand.
I had a future planned with you, but you betrayed me and destroyed everything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Groovy Guru
Unicorn by Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of my absolute favorite albums this song and everything on it is great
Thomas Huth
My other favorite albums are Beard of Stars, T.Rex, Electric Warrior, The Slider and Tanx! ;) It’s true.
Falscher Bruce
Certainly, UNICORN was unique. I can't think of another album like it.
LeeJuly4
wow, the art really is beautiful. Fits the song perfectly. I think Bolan would have loved it!
Suzanne Gee
This song is magic : ) Marc would love all those paintings you put him in!
miss alice
As Dickie Dunn would say, "You've captured the spirit of the thing!" Nice work.
Andy T.Rex
Stunning images which Marc would have loved. One of my favourite early T.Rex songs from an album which really should be acknowledged by more critics as a classic. In fact, I'm off to play it right now. Brilliant job, well done.
Jon Flynn
Beautiful song, fantastic video and i am sure Mr B would have adored this, great work. Thanks
JustineLaLoba
I own every Tyrannosaurus Rex lp..know them all by heart!
tmslab
Thank you for this great visit to one of Marc's lands of fantasy. I'm spell-bound.