Lyric discussion by SirZapdos 

Cover art for Agadez lyrics by Mars Volta, The

"I should have known You'd always scratch that itch When you asked for that safe passage On my shoulders where we slid And just before you laid Dead weight upon its shores I stung you in the face For that's the nature of my core"

This verse is a reference to the fable of the scorpion and the frog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

Incredible song. Once the tempo changes at around 3:15, the song goes into overdrive. Probably the best 3 or so minutes I've ever heard.