He is also responsible for the little-known sequel, Shock Treatment.
Sword of Damocles
Richard O'Brien Lyrics
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The Sword of Damocles is hanging over my head
And I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread
Oh, woe is me
My life is a misery
Oh, can't you see
That I'm at the start of a pretty big downer
I woke up this morning with a start when I fell out of bed
Chorus: That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: And left from my dreaming was a feeling of unnameable dread
Chorus: That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror:
My high is low
I'm dressed up with no place to go
And all I know
Is I'm at the start of a pretty big downer
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Oh, Rocky!
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Oh, my baby!
Chorus:
Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: The Sword of Damocles is hanging over my head
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Oh, really!
Chorus: That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror:
And I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread
Chorus: That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror:
Oh, woe is me
My life is a mystery
And can't you see
That I'm at the start of a pretty big downer
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Come here!
Chorus:
Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
That ain't no crime
Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
Rocky Horror: Oh no no no
Chorus: Sha la la la
That ain't no crime
That ain't no crime
Sha la la
The lyrics of Rocky Horror's "Sword of Damocles" express the feeling of impending doom and the fear of losing control. The "Sword of Damocles" refers to a legend where a sword, representing the danger of ruling, hangs on a single horsehair above the head of a king, symbolizing the constant risk of losing power. The song begins with Rocky feeling the weight of this sword about to fall on him, with a sense that something terrible is going to happen soon. He feels helpless and deeply unhappy, recognizing that he is at the start of a period of despair.
As the song progresses, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the character of the mad scientist, and the Chorus try to convince Rocky that there is no reason to panic, that the feeling of dread is not a crime, and encourage him to enjoy the moment despite the Sword of Damocles. This message of accepting the uncertain future could be interpreted as a reflection of the hedonistic and nihilistic ethos of the Rocky Horror Picture Show's countercultural message. In the end, Rocky still trembles under the sword, but the chorus repeats that "That ain't no crime," suggesting that he shouldn't worry about things beyond his control.
Line by Line Meaning
The Sword of Damocles is hanging over my head
I feel like I'm in imminent danger and any moment something bad is going to happen to me.
And I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread
I believe that my death or some other calamity is going to happen soon.
Oh, woe is me
I am feeling very sorry for myself.
My life is a misery
I'm feeling very unhappy with my life right now.
Oh, can't you see
Don't you understand how hopeless and desperate I feel?
That I'm at the start of a pretty big downer
Things are starting to go downhill fast, and my outlook is bleak.
I woke up this morning with a start when I fell out of bed
I had a very unsettling dream that left me feeling scared and uneasy.
My high is low
I'm feeling very depressed and low-spirited.
I'm dressed up with no place to go
I feel like I'm all dressed up with no purpose or direction in my life.
And all I know
The only thing I'm sure of right now
Is I'm at the start of a pretty big downer
Is that things are starting to go downhill and I don't know how to stop it.
Writer(s): RICHARD O'BRIEN
Contributed by Camilla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.