It seems to me this is a song about how to escape hell.
The protagonist is clearly in hell (first line), and he wants to escape, but he has one chance (or burn forever). It's been rumored how it can be done (there are whispers between the screams that this deed can be done) and that someone has escaped hell before (Jesus - who returned to Glory).
So, the time comes, and the singer tells the Devil about his sad life (which makes the Devil laugh) and then he says "I love you", which makes the Devil cry - which is presumably part of the escape plan.
Who the "I love you" is directed to is a tricky one. Is it to the Devil himself? Is it to God? Is it to a girl? Either way, I think the deal is that "love" defeats the Devil.
It seems to me this is a song about how to escape hell.
The protagonist is clearly in hell (first line), and he wants to escape, but he has one chance (or burn forever). It's been rumored how it can be done (there are whispers between the screams that this deed can be done) and that someone has escaped hell before (Jesus - who returned to Glory).
So, the time comes, and the singer tells the Devil about his sad life (which makes the Devil laugh) and then he says "I love you", which makes the Devil cry - which is presumably part of the escape plan.
Who the "I love you" is directed to is a tricky one. Is it to the Devil himself? Is it to God? Is it to a girl? Either way, I think the deal is that "love" defeats the Devil.