Sex Gang Children is an early gothic rock group that formed in the early 19… Read Full Bio ↴Sex Gang Children is an early gothic rock group that formed in the early 1980s in Britain. They were a very dramatic band, relying on heavy bass, tribal drumming, sudden mood shifts, a woozy cabaret ready sound that influenced the rise of the later Dark Cabaret scene, and yet another in a long line of goth singers with an odd, highly dramatic voice. Although the group only released one official album, their singles and various other tracks have been packaged into numerous collections, and they remain one of the better known bands out of the early Goth scene.

Cannibal Queen
Sex Gang Children Lyrics

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Today I saw a thousand aborigines marching to your door
Asking please let us in but you offered them sanctuary
Like a royal master living in this great big heap of decay
Devil may tell all
Nail your wrists to the wall
This is the catholic party ball
How many times have you sold to the cannibal
You licked their hair and bones

Kissed their meat and teeth
you rubbed their flesh on flesh
Your body laid out like a queen
Was the best dressed corpse I'd even seen
Feel your holy spirit rising like a cancer of the heart
Screwing your sister in the hall with the lights off
Nail your wrists to the wall

This is the catholic party ball
How many times have you sold to the cannibal queen

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sex Gang Children's song "Cannibal Queen" are heavily metaphorical and symbolic, and can be interpreted in a number of different ways. The opening lines describe a large group of aborigines marching towards an unknown destination, likely a reference to the displacement and mistreatment of indigenous people by colonial powers. The singer is observing this from a distance, and notes that when the aborigines reach their destination (presumably the home of the "cannibal queen"), they are not welcomed but instead offered only temporary shelter. This can be seen as a commentary on the exploitation and marginalization of non-white cultures by the West.

The rest of the song is similarly dark and cryptic, with references to Catholicism, sexual perversion, and cannibalism. The line "nail your wrists to the wall" is a clear reference to the crucifixion of Jesus, and ties into the religious imagery present throughout the song. The singer also accuses the "cannibal queen" of selling out to the cannibals, implying that she has betrayed her own kind in pursuit of personal gain. The final lines, which describe the queen's body as the "best dressed corpse", suggest a fascination with death and decay.

Overall, "Cannibal Queen" is a complex and disturbing song that touches on a number of taboo subjects. The lyrics can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but all seem to suggest a world that is corrupt and in decline.

Line by Line Meaning

Today I saw a thousand aborigines marching to your door
The singer witnesses a large and diverse group of people all converging outside of the subject's residence.

Asking please let us in but you offered them sanctuary
The people outside are asking for refuge or shelter, but the subject refuses to let them in.

Like a royal master living in this great big heap of decay
The subject lives a wealthy and privileged life in a decaying and corrupt environment.

Devil may tell all
The subject is unconcerned with the consequences of their actions, unafraid of being exposed.

Nail your wrists to the wall
The subject enjoys pain and suffering to the extent of self-harm.

This is the catholic party ball
The lyrics may refer to the Catholic Church and their perceived immoral and decadent behavior.

How many times have you sold to the cannibal
The subject has engaged in immoral and dehumanizing actions, such as selling people to cannibals.

You licked their hair and bones
The subject has committed acts of cannibalism or has engaged in extremely close and intimate acts with cannibals.

Kissed their meat and teeth
The subject has performed sexual acts with a cannibal or has come very close to doing so.

you rubbed their flesh on flesh
The subject has engaged in highly intimate and potentially degrading acts with cannibals.

Your body laid out like a queen
The subject perceives themselves as highly regal and superior to others, despite engaging in despicable behavior.

Was the best dressed corpse I'd even seen
The subject has possibly killed someone or has seen dead bodies before, and judges the act based on the deceased's appearance.

Feel your holy spirit rising like a cancer of the heart
The singer is experiencing a sense of religious or spiritual revulsion regarding the subject's behavior.

Screwing your sister in the hall with the lights off
The subject has engaged in incestuous acts.

Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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