There is certainly something paradoxical about these lyrics. In the song Joan surrenders, whatever it is she surrenders to, but the actual Joan never surrendered. She tried to flee captivity several times. She was convicted as a political point with no evidence of her guilt.
At first glance this song comes through as extremely patriarchal in nature. Joan longs for female innocence and the security of a man. Her lacking a man to get her through the night is presented as a problem. The man in turn yearns for to "win" this heroin who is "cold and lonesome", a story that completely ignores Joan's vow and choice to abstain passionate love for a greater cause, a cause which is in fact a fire burning within her.
Might it be though, that it is her own passion she yields to. Or God, if you will. She gives herself completely to nothing but her mission. Odd that the follower would crave her though and not simply invite her. She does beg him for mercy, to make his body cold so he can embrace her, but he betrays her and she burns. As she does she realizes this is the true sacrifice. He can only burn through her. It a a martyrs death in deed. And don't we all, like the observer here in the final line, sometimes wish to die a martyr's death, to give ourselves completely for something greater than us, whatever that may be, never being 100% certain what we sacrifice for is good or evil.
There is certainly something paradoxical about these lyrics. In the song Joan surrenders, whatever it is she surrenders to, but the actual Joan never surrendered. She tried to flee captivity several times. She was convicted as a political point with no evidence of her guilt.
At first glance this song comes through as extremely patriarchal in nature. Joan longs for female innocence and the security of a man. Her lacking a man to get her through the night is presented as a problem. The man in turn yearns for to "win" this heroin who is "cold and lonesome", a story that completely ignores Joan's vow and choice to abstain passionate love for a greater cause, a cause which is in fact a fire burning within her.
Might it be though, that it is her own passion she yields to. Or God, if you will. She gives herself completely to nothing but her mission. Odd that the follower would crave her though and not simply invite her. She does beg him for mercy, to make his body cold so he can embrace her, but he betrays her and she burns. As she does she realizes this is the true sacrifice. He can only burn through her. It a a martyrs death in deed. And don't we all, like the observer here in the final line, sometimes wish to die a martyr's death, to give ourselves completely for something greater than us, whatever that may be, never being 100% certain what we sacrifice for is good or evil.