08. King Of Loss
Pain of Salvation Lyrics

Mother, at my first breath
The moment I was born, everything was predetermined and set in motion.

Every paragraph was set
Every aspect of my life was already written on paper, according to societal norms and expectations.

As I inhaled the scent of debt
The consequences of being alive, such as debt and obligation, were immediate and inescapable.

Mother, that first stolen air
The first breath I took was not truly mine, but rather part of a larger system that sucked the life out of me.

On papers saying I'm not mine
My identity and individuality were taken from me through legal documents and societal constructs.

"We crown you, the King of Loss...
The world has predestined me to fail no matter what I do.

Better get on your feet
I must struggle to survive and be successful despite the obstacles that have been set against me.

Best be one of us
Conformity is key to success because individuality and uniqueness will lead to rejection and failure.

Better get yourself on the list
In order to be successful, I need to be recognized and approved of by those in power.

For success
Success requires a ruthless drive and ambition that may come at the cost of one's own wellbeing and morals.

Dress up as a State investment
To be accepted by those in power, I must present myself as a useful asset to society that can contribute to the greater good.

Charm the press
Institutional recognition by the media will help me achieve success and become accepted by society.

A breed from the seed of only
The odds are stacked against me because I am not unique or exceptional in any way, but rather a product of my circumstances.

One short breath"
Being born is the moment when we are forever tied down by societal constraints that dictate our lives.

Mother, hence we cry:
Despite the struggle to succeed, most people are doomed to fail and suffer in life.

Some of us are free to stand
A select few will succeed and be free to live their lives on their own terms.

Most of us are bound to lie
The rest of us are trapped in a cycle of deceit and despair, forced to live lives that are not truly our own.

In those bloodstained beds
Society's constraints have led to countless struggles and even casualties.

No one can afford to pay
The monetary cost of living in this society is too high for most people to bear.

The prices on their babies' heads
From the moment we are born, we are worth a certain amount of money to society, which leads to a lifetime of debt and obligation.

I am the King of Loss!
The weight of societal constraints, debt, and obligation have made me the ultimate loser in life, without any hope of success.

For every dear smile I feel I'm not one of us
Despite attempts to conform to societal norms, I still feel like an outsider who is not truly accepted by society.

"An ivory coin for every plus on your stone"
Success is measured purely by societal status and monetary gain, leading to a soulless and materialistic existence.

"One more governmental blade
The government will always have a tool to keep people in line and maintain control over them, no matter what the cost.

Now drawn from its sheath
The societal constraints that hold people back are always present, even if they are not visible at first glance.

Quite a bargain I'd say since either way
The government can always justify its actions by claiming that it is for the greater good of society.

You will live by the show of our teeth!"
The government will always rule with an iron fist, leaving no room for dissent or resistance.

Mother, I wish that we could talk
Despite the constraints of society, there is still a desire for meaningful human connection and understanding.

You see
My mother is the only person who may understand the struggles of life under societal constraints.

I'm not fit to play this game
Despite attempts to conform, I still feel like an outsider who does not fit in with societal expectations.

Bound by its rules just the same
Even when we do our best to conform, we are still trapped by the constraints placed on us by society.

My talents turned to talons
Any inherent talents or abilities are twisted into something savage and predatory in order to survive in society.

Every monetary pile
Money is the only thing that matters in a society that values material success above all else.

Will buy me a precious smile...
Despite the emptiness and soullessness of material success, it is still desirable because it provides a temporary distraction from the harsh realities of life under societal constraints.

"smile..."
The superficiality of societal expectations and success is reflected in the empty, fleeting nature of the smiles they elicit.

So smile for the King of Loss
Despite being a failure in society's eyes, I still try to find enjoyment and happiness in this soulless existence.

Feed from the juices
Society sustains itself by sucking the life out of its members, leaving them empty and desensitized to the horrors of life.

Bleeding from this cross
The burden of societal expectations and constraints is like a physical wound that never fully heals.

Then tell me our lives mean more
Despite the soullessness and emptiness of societal expectations, there is still a desire for meaning and fulfillment that goes beyond material success.

Than this vain thirst!
The drive for material success and societal recognition is ultimately meaningless and unfulfilling in the face of life's deeper mysteries and questions.

"A governmental blade
The government has the power to control and manipulate its citizens through a variety of tools, leaving them feeling helpless and powerless.

Drawn from its private sheath
Even when the government's actions are hidden from view, they still have a profound impact on the lives of citizens.

Quite a bargain I'd say, since either way
The government can justify any action it takes, no matter how oppressive or harmful, by claiming that it is for the greater good of society.

You'll be living by the show of our..."
Those in power hold all the cards and can do whatever they please, leaving citizens feeling powerless to change the status quo.

I hold up my head
Even in the face of all these hardships and struggles, I still try to maintain my dignity and sense of self-worth.

This was my life
Despite all the constraints and struggles, my life is still my own, even if it does not always feel that way.

Now I'm with the dead
Death may provide a way out of the pain and suffering caused by societal constraints, but it is not a true solution.

So I lay my bare neck
Despite the desire for a way out, I ultimately must face up to the harsh realities of life and face them head-on.

This is your call
Ultimately, the choices I make in life are mine alone, even if they are made under duress and constraint.

Dub a king or a wreck
Society has the power to define my status and worth, even though those definitions may not reflect my true value.

(Mother, listen to me mother)
The mother figure represents the only hope for a true human connection and understanding in a society that values cold, inhuman success above all else.

Is this all I am? Is this all I'll be?
Despite attempts to find meaning and fulfillment in life, it often feels like nothing more than a soulless, empty existence.

This is not enough!
No matter how hard I try, or how much I achieve, it never feels like enough in a society that always demands more.

We're all crying for respect and attention
Despite the façade of cold, unfeeling success, all people fundamentally desire respect and recognition for their true worth.

We're all dying for a painless redemption!
At the same time, many people desire an escape from the pain and suffering caused by societal constraints, even if that escape may not ultimately be satisfying.

This is not what I wanted
Despite everything, it is ultimately up to each individual to decide the direction of their own life, even if those choices may be limited by societal constraints.

But for every drop of blood I lost myself
Despite the constraints and oppression of societal expectations, every person is still fundamentally human, with their own unique experiences and struggles.

I, too, lay bleeding on the sidewalk...
Despite the façade of success and confidence, every person is fighting their own personal battles in life and suffering in their own ways.

Mother
The mother figure represents the only hope for understanding and human connection in a society that is cold, mechanical, and inhuman.

Long live the dying king
The final line is a tragic reflection on the fate of those who struggle against the constraints of society but ultimately succumb to them, even in death.