Judas Priest - The Serpent and the King Lyrics

 

Judas Priest - The Serpent and the King Lyrics

Idols to their worlds

Manifesting anger

Conjurers of evil times

We can sense the danger

They claim every soul

Show you who’s the leader

Bow before iconoclasts

Creators of disaster

They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake

To them we are a fantasy to see who’s first to break

When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate

Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate

The serpent and the king

Time to meet your doom

The serpent and the king

Wiping out the weak

Lording their creation

Where you hide they’ll find to seek

Feeding those mistaken

Pyramid of bones

Satiate their hunger

Volatilic they condone

Sympathise no longer

They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake

To them we are fantasy to see who’s first to break

When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate

Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate

The serpent and the king

The end is coming soon

The serpent and the king

It’s time to meet your doom

Cast out of paradise temptation’s wrath

Constrict self sacrifice the tree of life

They claim every soul show you who’s the leader

Bow before iconoclasts creators of disaster

They play with stars and sulphur just for heaven's sake

To them we are fantasy to see who’s first to break

When good and evil go to war we leave it up to fate

Since time began they fought for man incurring love and hate

The serpent and the king

The end is coming soon

The serpent and the king

Prepare to meet your doom

"The Serpent and the King" by Judas Priest: Analysis

Storyline:

The song doesn't present a linear story. Instead, it paints a picture of a struggle between good and evil, personified by "the serpent and the king." These figures are portrayed as powerful and destructive, manipulating the world and playing with human fate. The lyrics leave it unclear whether good or evil will ultimately prevail.

Themes:

• The battle between good and evil: This is the central theme, expressed through the conflict between the serpent and the king.
• Destructive power: The song emphasizes the destructive potential of both good and evil forces, leaving the listener with a sense of unease.
• Human vulnerability: Humans are depicted as pawns in the game between these powerful forces, with their fate uncertain.

Key Words and Meanings:

• Serpent and king: Represent the forces of evil, possibly referencing figures like Satan or tyrants.
• Idols, conjurers, iconoclasts: Depict the destructive and manipulative nature of these forces.
• Sulphur, pyramid of bones, satiate their hunger: Imagery associated with death, destruction, and evil's insatiable appetite.
• Doom, meet your doom: Foreshadow the potential defeat of the serpent and the king.
• Paradise, temptation, sacrifice: References to religious themes associated with good and evil.

Emotional Analysis:

The song evokes a sense of fear, unease, and uncertainty. The lyrics paint a dark picture of the world, where powerful forces are at play and human fate is uncertain. There is a hint of hope in the potential defeat of the evil forces, but the overall tone remains bleak.

Narrative Parts:

The entire song serves as a narrative, describing the nature of the conflict and its potential consequences. However, there's no linear plot progression with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Essential Parts:

The entire song contributes to the core message and themes. Every stanza reinforces the ideas of the battle between good and evil, the destructive nature of these forces, and the vulnerability of humanity.

Psychological Analysis:

The song explores the psychological concept of the "shadow," representing the dark and destructive aspects of human nature. The serpent and the king can be seen as externalizations of this shadow, highlighting the constant struggle between good and evil within humanity itself.

Overall Message:

The song offers a bleak view of the world, where powerful forces beyond human control battle for dominance. It leaves the listener pondering the nature of good and evil and the fragility of human existence.