Lucretia, My Reflection Lyrics

Lyric discussion by laurelinwyntre 

Cover art for Lucretia, My Reflection lyrics by Sisters of Mercy, The

Lucretia Borgia is the obvious reference, but it might also be referring a number of other historical Lucretias. Eldritch: "Patricia always strikes me as a Lucretia-type person" . [ATF] The Family Borgia were notorious power freaks operating in renaissance Italy, famous for their unscrupulous operating techniques, and much admired by Machiavelli. Lucretia Borgia was a notorious poisoner, c.f. Gift .

"Hot metal and Methedrine"

Methedrine is a form of amphetamine and is apparently best taken intravenously. 'Hot metal' is probably a reference to the needle, though it might be something to do with guns. The comparison between guns and drugs is a typical Eldritch riff, notably "a gun for a lover and a shot for the pain inside" from Temple of Love .

"The drug of choice is Methedrine. It's like the eighth gear. I remember taking it once in Chicago, and waking up a week later wondering what had happened in between" - Eldritch (unknown source, quoted on the Dominion mailing list).

"A former proprietary name for an amphetamine, methylamphetamine hydrochloride, a soft drug, but used by drug addicts." - Chambers dictionary.

"Dance the ghost with me"

This is probably a reference to Ghost Dance, the band formed by Gary Marx after he left The Sisters. Ghostdance is also a North American Indian movement which sought to achieve unity with the dead / dead souls in order to return to the lifestyle destroyed by the arrival of Europeans. This interpretation ties in with the situation Eldritch found himself in with respect to previous band members, and the arrival of Patricia signalling the return of The Sisters.

"A long train held up by page on page"

This line makes alot more sense if one thinks about weddings.

"A hard reign"

"Reign" is a pun on "rain". "A hard rain's a-gonna fall" is a Bob Dylan song.

"Once a railroad/Now it's done..."

"Once I built a railroad, now it's done. Buddy, can you spare a dime", American song of the 1930s depression. As an aside, 'Buddy Can You Spare A Dime?' was once piped into the Leeds DHSS offices where it was no doubt warmly received by the punters!

Source: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/1217/

Your analysis of SOM songs are quite comprehensive. JUst thought I'd add this:

In 1940 Methamphetamine was marketed under the trade name "Methedrine" by Burroughs Wellcome in the US. During WWII, Methadrine was commonly dispersed by the Army Air Corps (before it was later changed to be called the Air Force) as a means to help bomber pilots stay alert and focused on long missions over Europe and German controlled areas.

Hence: I hear the roar of a big machine (the big engines on the B-17 Flying Fortress) Two worlds and in between (the Axis powers) Hot metal and methedrine (guns...

@laurelinwyntre "The comparison between guns and drugs is a typical Eldritch riff"

Half of Legal Weapon's songs use weapons as a metaphor for drugs or vice-versa, and it's not too rare in the songs of the various other related bands that Pat went through. So, even this could be an oblique "welcome, Pat" thing: "see, I make 'shot' puns too".