Ballade C.3.3
Love's Dark Paradox: A Ballad of Betrayal and Passion
Lyrics
yet each man kills the things he loves
Expresses the paradoxical tendency of individuals to harm or destroy the things they hold dear.
but to each let this be heard
Emphasizes the universality of this destructive tendency, urging everyone to take heed of this truth.
some do it with a bitter look
Describes one method of causing harm through disdainful or resentful expressions.
some with a flattering word
Points out that others may harm through deceitful or insincere language.
the coward does it with a kiss
Highlights that some may harm using a seemingly affectionate gesture, indicating a deceptive act.
the brave man with a sword
Suggests that a courageous person may resort to physical violence, using a sword to express their aggression.
some kill their loved when they are young.
Acknowledges that individuals may harm those they love, whether in youth or old age.
some when they are old
Reiterates the variability of when individuals may choose to harm their loved ones.
some strangle with the hands of lust
Describes a method of harm involving intense desire or passion, illustrating a destructive form of love.
some with hands of gold
Suggests a destructive act motivated by material wealth or greed, depicted through "hands of gold."
the kindest use a knife
Contrasts kindness with violence, indicating that even the gentle may resort to harm, using a knife as a symbol.
because the dead so soon grow cold
Explains that even the most compassionate may resort to lethal means because the warmth of life fades quickly in death.
some love too little, some too long
Reflects on the varied expressions of love, some insufficient and fleeting, others enduring but potentially suffocating.
some sell and others buy
Observes the different ways people engage with love – selling, buying, and engaging in transactions that may not be genuine.
some do a deed with money tears
Points out that some perform harmful deeds motivated by financial gain, shedding tears only when money is involved.
some without a sigh
Notes that some harm without remorse or emotional expression, emphasizing the detached nature of their actions.
for each man kills the thing he loves
Reiterates the central theme that every individual has the capacity to destroy the things they love.
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