Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a visceral origin story, suggesting a birth into chaos and hardship. The imagery of a "desert storm" and "torrent of blood" immediately establishes a tone of primal struggle and a difficult entry into the world. This isn't a gentle arrival; it's an immersion into a harsh reality from the very first breath. The "thirteen tolling bells" adds a layer of ominous portent, hinting at a destiny marked by something significant, perhaps even ill-fated.
This harsh beginning is compounded by a upbringing that seems to have embraced transgression. The "bitches in leopard skin" who teach "pleasures of sin" suggest a wild, untamed environment where morality is secondary to survival and indulgence. The narrator acknowledges making "mistakes," attributing them to the capricious nature of "fools and fate," indicating a life lived on the edge, accepting the consequences of reckless choices.
The central tension lies in the defiant embrace of this destructive existence, encapsulated in the repeated refrain: "WE'RE LIVIN'... We'll live and burn!" This isn't just about living; it's about living intensely, even if that intensity leads to self-destruction. The lyrics describe "broken bones and broken fists" and a "lust that doesn't sleep," painting a picture of a life fueled by primal urges and physical conflict. The "harvest of doom" they reap suggests a self-fulfilling prophecy born from their inherent nature.
What makes these lyrics so potent is their unapologetic portrayal of a life lived outside conventional boundaries. The "wild fixation" and "morbid fascination" with the dark and dangerous, coupled with the "strange thrill" derived from violence, create a compelling, albeit disturbing, character. The comparison of this thrill to "lovin' licks from the fire fight" is a powerful metaphor for finding pleasure and exhilaration in destructive acts, directly linking their existence to a consuming, burning intensity.