Martyr
Mr. T Experience Lyrics
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The lyrics to Mr. T Experience's song "Martyr" convey a sense of hopelessness and resignation toward a situation that seems to be spiraling out of control. The opening line warns against trying to be a martyr, suggesting that it will ultimately lead to one's demise without any meaningful impact. The singer then goes on to express a sense of disappointment in their companion, who seems to have lost sight of the myriad options they once had and is now watching as the damage unfolds before them.
Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges their own feelings of apathy and detachment from the situation, lamenting that they cannot feel responsible for what is happening, as they are powerless to change it. The image of the iron maiden in the singer's head adds to the sense of entrapment and helplessness, as they are unable to do anything to alter the outcome.
The closing lines of the song seem to suggest that the companion, despite their inability to effect change, will inevitably become a martyr, suffering and perhaps even dying for their cause. The image of their flashing stigmata and repackaged prayers adds a layer of religious symbolism and martyrdom to the song's themes, underscoring the sense that these events are ultimately out of our control.
Overall, "Martyr" is a bleak and resigned reflection on the limitations of human agency and the inevitability of fate.
Line by Line Meaning
If you try to be a martyr it will only slow you down
If you think sacrificing yourself for a cause will help, it won't, it will only delay progress.
and I'll cry a little harder as I wrap you in your shroud
I'll mourn your death and wrap you up in burial clothes.
but it's never going to happen and it's never going to count
Your martyrdom won't happen and even if it did, it won't make a difference.
and there's nothing we can do about it now.
It's too late to change the situation.
Once we had so many options, now they're narrowed down to one
We had many choices before, but now we only have one.
and it's sad to see you watching while the damage has begun.
It's unfortunate that you're just a bystander while things are getting worse.
If it's not what you expected I expected more from you
If you're disappointed because things haven't turned out as planned, I'm even more disappointed in you.
and I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do about it now.
I apologize, but the situation cannot be changed.
And I'm all overcome with apathy, doesn't have anything to do with me.
I'm overwhelmed with a lack of interest, but it's not my fault.
If you think I should feel responsible I don't know anything is possible.
If you expect me to take the blame, I'm not sure what can be done.
Picture of you in my head and I'm waiting here in my bed
I have a mental image of you and I'm lying here waiting for something to happen.
it's an iron maiden I heard what you said but I can't remember something about my neck.
It's like I'm trapped in an inescapable situation, and even though I heard what you said, my memory fails me.
And at last you'll be a martyr as you're crying on the stairs
Finally, you'll become a martyr but in a pitifully sad way.
soon you'll be flashing your stigmata and repackaging your prayers.
You'll be making a show of your wounds and rephrasing your religious supplications.
And we'll hang you in the parlor and we'll cut you into squares
We'll display your body in the living room and cut it up into pieces.
and we'll think of you when anybody swears but there's nothing we can do about it now.
We'll remember you whenever someone curses, but as before, we cannot change what has already happened.
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.