Family Tree

"These crosses all over my body"

This line suggests a physical manifestation of her past, marking her with the weight of her upbringing and experiences.

"Give myself up to him in offering"

Here, there's a sense of surrender, highlighting the pressures of expectation and the desire to conform to someone else's vision of femininity.

"I'm just a child, but I'm not above violence"

This juxtaposition reveals a loss of innocence, suggesting that her upbringing has forced her into a harsh reality where violence is a survival mechanism.

"When the preacher talks, that man demands his silence"

This line critiques authority figures who impose silence and obedience, reflecting a struggle against oppressive voices in her life.

"So take me down to the river"

The river symbolizes a place of cleansing and renewal, contrasting her violent past with a yearning for redemption.

"I've killed before and I'll kill again"

This stark admission speaks to her inner turmoil, revealing a fierce survival instinct and the moral complexities of her identity.

"Christ, forgive these bones I've been hiding"

This plea for forgiveness underscores the weight of guilt and the desire for absolution from her past actions.

"Put me on the back of your white horse to ride"

The imagery of the white horse evokes themes of rescue and salvation, suggesting a longing for escape from her burdens.