What Do You Know?

Song Meaning

The narrator asserts a powerful, almost mystical authority, immediately establishing herself as a "high witch" and a "queen." This persona is built on a foundation of immense knowledge and control, offering "kingdoms" and "hundreds of children" – potent symbols of dominion and legacy. The recurring question, "What do you know?" serves as a direct challenge, implying the listener's ignorance compared to her own profound understanding and capabilities. The core tension arises from a deliberate withdrawal of previously offered sustenance and favor. The narrator declares, "It's not my place to care what you think about me," and pointedly states, "I won't feed you anymore." This marks a shift from provider to a figure who has given all she will, drawing a clear boundary based on past actions where the listener "ate right from my hand." The implication is that this past generosity is now concluded, leaving the recipient to fend for themselves. A striking element is the juxtaposition of archaic, almost fairy-tale imagery ("kingdoms," "queen") with a raw, almost defiant tone. The repetition of "Look to the past / So you can see right" suggests that understanding her power and the reasons for her current stance requires acknowledging history, perhaps the history of their interaction or her own rise. The repeated "Stand by" functions as both an instruction and a warning, a final command before she moves on or expects the listener to accept the new reality. This lyrical construction is effective because it creates an enigmatic figure who wields immense power but chooses to disengage, leaving the listener in a state of questioning and dependence. The direct, confrontational language combined with the grand, almost mythic pronouncements makes her pronouncements feel absolute and final, forcing introspection on the listener's part about their own knowledge and position relative to her.