The song is about a co-dependent relationship, that has destroyed both parties. The imagery of a shrike (a carnivorous bird that impales its prey, then picks pieces of it off, consuming it alive), and reference to its “glorious thorn”, is meant to symbolize toxicity. He is the shrike, she is the thorn, and the prey is both their love and their essence as people.
Despite the harm they create, they cannot help but always find each other again. Their love is real, but their damage is preventing them from realizing happiness together. There seems to be an air of self-awareness on both parts, and while they keep falling into old roles, there is hope that they can fix their broken parts, and reunite in a love that sustains and works in a healthy way.
The song is about a co-dependent relationship, that has destroyed both parties. The imagery of a shrike (a carnivorous bird that impales its prey, then picks pieces of it off, consuming it alive), and reference to its “glorious thorn”, is meant to symbolize toxicity. He is the shrike, she is the thorn, and the prey is both their love and their essence as people.
Despite the harm they create, they cannot help but always find each other again. Their love is real, but their damage is preventing them from realizing happiness together. There seems to be an air of self-awareness on both parts, and while they keep falling into old roles, there is hope that they can fix their broken parts, and reunite in a love that sustains and works in a healthy way.