Thou Begone
Deicide
A Requiem for Faith: Deicide's 'Thou Begone'
Deicide's song 'Thou Begone' is a vehement critique of organized religion, particularly Christianity. The lyrics are filled with imagery of destruction and decay, symbolizing the artist's disdain for religious institutions and their perceived hypocrisy. The opening lines, 'I curse the air you breathe / All men of the cloth,' set a confrontational tone, directly addressing religious leaders and condemning their influence. This sets the stage for a broader attack on the foundations of faith, suggesting that what once was will never be again, and that the cause of religion is lost.
The song continues with vivid descriptions of civil unrest and the desecration of religious symbols, such as 'Burning the cross' and 'The good book is tossed.' These lines evoke a sense of rebellion and a desire to dismantle the structures of organized religion. The repeated references to 'God in his grave' and 'Heaven deceased' further emphasize the theme of the death of faith and the futility of seeking light or salvation through traditional religious means.
Throughout the song, Deicide portrays religion as a corrupt and decaying institution, with lines like 'Church of disgust / Turn into rust' and 'Scripture erased.' The chorus, 'Thou begone / Unbelieved / Left for dead,' serves as a powerful declaration of the artist's rejection of religious dogma and the moral compass it claims to provide. The song concludes with a call to 'Die,' symbolizing the ultimate demise of religious hypocrisy and the liberation from its constraints. 'Thou Begone' is a raw and unflinching critique of religion, urging listeners to question and reject the established norms of faith.