New Test Leper

Judgment's Melody: Decoding R.E.M.'s New Test Leper
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Lyrics

I can't say that I love Jesus

I cannot claim to love Jesus

That would be a hollow claim

Such a claim would lack sincerity

He did make some observations

Jesus made some observations

And I'm quoting them today

The speaker is quoting those observations

"Judge not lest ye be judged"

Quoting the advice "Judge not lest ye be judged"

What a beautiful refrain

The phrase is described as a beautiful refrain

The studio audience disagrees

Despite the beauty, the studio audience disagrees

Have his limbs all gone astray?

Questioning if Jesus' teachings have been forgotten


Call me a leper

Repetition of being called a leper, an outcast

Call me a leper

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Call me a leper

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"You are lost and disillusioned"

Being labeled as lost and disillusioned

What an awful thing to say

Expressing disapproval of this characterization

I know this show doesn't flatter

The show does not represent or please the speaker

It means nothing to me

It holds no significance or value to the speaker

I thought I might help them understand

Attempting to help the audience understand

What an ugly thing to see

Describing the situation as ugly

"I am not an animal"

Rejecting the label of being an animal

Subtitled under the screen

Subtitle emphasizes rejection and defiance


Call me a leper

Repetition of being called a leper

Call me a leper

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Call me a leper

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When I tried to tell my story

Trying to share personal experiences on a talk show

They cut me off to take a break

Interrupted abruptly for a commercial break

I sat silent five commercials

Silently enduring five commercials

I had nothing left to say

Having nothing more to say after the interruption

The talk show host was index-carded

The talk show host follows a structured approach

All organized and blank

Guests are treated as organized and emotionless

The other guests were scared and hardened

Other guests are fearful and hardened

What a sad parade

Describing the overall atmosphere as a sad parade

What a sad parade

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Call me a leper

Repetition of being called a leper

Call me a leper

-

Call me a leper

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