The Ballad of Dr. Jekyll
Inner Struggle Unveiled: The Ballad of Dr. Jekyll's Torment
Lyrics
Is it worth all the ringing?
Questioning the value of enduring difficulties.
Is it worth all the pain?
Questioning whether the pain is worth the experience.
Is it worth the pretending?
Contemplating the worth of pretending and hiding one's true self.
The fear? The disdain?
Reflecting on the fear and disdain associated with the facade.
Is it worth the shift in countenance just to live how I'd like?
Considering the trade-off of changing one's appearance to live authentically.
Is it worth the split in conscience just to sate what's inside?
Questioning the moral consequences of satisfying internal desires.
Is it really still working, this thin, weak facade?
Doubting the effectiveness of a thin, weak facade.
Can I really still maintain my emotional guard?
Questioning the ability to maintain emotional defenses.
My costume is tearing
Expressing the deterioration of a disguise or mask.
My patience is wearing
Impatience and frustration manifesting physically.
My ears begin to bleed as I feel the monster staring
Feeling the unsettling presence of an inner monster.
And the fear contorts 'to anger as I begin to see red
Fear transforming into anger, possibly due to internal conflict.
And the anger grows remorseful as I return, retiring to bed
Regretful feelings after succumbing to anger.
This sad, seeping tragedy inside my head
Describing a lingering and tragic internal struggle.
And there's so much to see here, so much more to do
Acknowledging the vastness of experiences but struggling to control them.
Yet I can't help but relinquish control off to you
Relinquishing control to an external force or influence.
Perhaps our God in Heaven, thought to be kind and just
Raising questions about the benevolence of a higher power.
Isn't quite as forgiving as we once thought he was
Casting doubt on the forgiving nature of God.
This vile ebullition of liquor, tincture and salt
Describing a mixture of substances that may provide escape.
Seems to be my seldom let from this hellish assault
Highlighting a temporary relief from internal struggles.
You sit there and tempt me, overgrowing with envy
Feeling tempted and drained by envy, possibly from external influences.
Like a jealous, callous moss, determined to drain me till I'm empty
Comparing envy to a relentless force draining one's vitality.
And I know I shouldn't feed you, but somehow I feel the need to
Acknowledging the temptation to engage with negative influences.
Like a deviant or a drunkard condemned by oaths they cannot see through
Feeling compelled to feed one's vices despite knowing it's harmful.
And lo, here I stand, half a man
Expressing a sense of inadequacy or loss of self.
So if you can, please take this phial from my hand
Pleading for intervention or assistance to prevent negative actions.
Before I change my mind and let the freak upon this land
Expressing a desire to avoid unleashing a destructive force.
I've tried this before, to keep a lock upon this door
Reflecting on past attempts to control one's darker impulses.
But every night I sleep myself I awake as him once more
Conveying the inevitability of succumbing to the darker side.
I've lied and I've bargained to keep these shackles hardened
Admitting to deceit and negotiation to maintain control.
But the creature lain in wait will never cease his barrage
Describing an unrestrained force that persists despite efforts.
And I've begun to grow short in both temperance and stores since
Noting a depletion of patience and resources in resisting.
My salt I so rely on seems to be tainted and impure
Expressing dependence on a substance that is now tainted.
So I laugh at the irony. And I know there's one single, lonesome cure
Finding irony in relying on something impure for salvation.
But if it takes Mr. Hyde with me
Weighing the cost of a potential solution that involves embracing the darker side.
Then I'm glad to hang
Expressing acceptance of consequences, even if it means embracing the darker self.
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