Maybe this is about religion, though not necessarily about God. I think this song is more about the idea of erasing the lines between black and white; that separate good/evil. Perhaps the protagonist in this song initially prides himself as somewhat of a saint--someone who is virtuous, self-righteous, exemplary--in other words, a hero. He tries to rectify wrongs by calling out an action he perceives as evil being done to someone he sees as helpless and innocent (like a butcher slaughtering a lamb). Then he comes to acknowledge that this evil is very much inherent, perhaps at times even necessary-- but is inevitably a part of himself. He learns that he can gain what he wants (maybe selfishly) from performing tasks that weigh heavy on his conscience and soul. Lyrics such as "Listen to me child/I am what I am/and you/you are my only son" make me think that at some point, the protagonist decides he needs to accept the ugliness within himself because it is a trait he feels he must keep or cannot let go of--much like an only son would carry on a last name.
"Blood upon my body
and ice upon my soul
Lead on my son, it is your world"
the last stanza make me think the bigger picture he is trying to convey is a commentary on misogyny.
Maybe this is about religion, though not necessarily about God. I think this song is more about the idea of erasing the lines between black and white; that separate good/evil. Perhaps the protagonist in this song initially prides himself as somewhat of a saint--someone who is virtuous, self-righteous, exemplary--in other words, a hero. He tries to rectify wrongs by calling out an action he perceives as evil being done to someone he sees as helpless and innocent (like a butcher slaughtering a lamb). Then he comes to acknowledge that this evil is very much inherent, perhaps at times even necessary-- but is inevitably a part of himself. He learns that he can gain what he wants (maybe selfishly) from performing tasks that weigh heavy on his conscience and soul. Lyrics such as "Listen to me child/I am what I am/and you/you are my only son" make me think that at some point, the protagonist decides he needs to accept the ugliness within himself because it is a trait he feels he must keep or cannot let go of--much like an only son would carry on a last name.
"Blood upon my body and ice upon my soul Lead on my son, it is your world"
the last stanza make me think the bigger picture he is trying to convey is a commentary on misogyny.