Perkeleitä

H B's song 'Perkeleitä' is a powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and the judgmental attitudes often found within organized religion. The repeated use of the word 'perkeleestä,' which translates to 'from the devil' in English, serves as a biting commentary on how various aspects of life and culture are condemned by certain religious factions. The song lists a wide range of things deemed 'from the devil,' from different Christian denominations and musical styles to everyday items like garden grills and red hair. This extensive list highlights the absurdity and arbitrariness of such condemnations.

The lyrics also delve into the personal struggle of the narrator, who feels the need to 'tiptoe' around these pervasive judgments. The imagery of 'fiery arrows' targeting 'old flesh' and causing 'hurt and wounds' suggests the emotional and spiritual damage inflicted by these harsh judgments. The mention of a 'closet full of fallen angels' symbolizes the hidden sins and imperfections that everyone carries, despite outward appearances of piety. The 'double-edged sword' that has become 'dull and rusty' represents the loss of true spiritual discernment and the imprisonment of love, which should be the core of religious belief.

The song's bridge, which lists emotions like hatred, envy, bitterness, and sin as truly 'from the devil,' shifts the focus from external condemnations to internal vices. This shift underscores the message that the real 'devils' are not the superficial things people often judge but the negative emotions and behaviors that harm others and oneself. By juxtaposing these internal vices with the earlier list of condemned items, the song calls for a more introspective and compassionate approach to spirituality.