Hog Of The Forsaken

Michael Hurley's song "Hog Of The Forsaken" is a poetic and somewhat surreal exploration of an outcast figure, represented by the hog. The hog, described as 'forsaken,' symbolizes a creature that exists on the fringes of society, embodying themes of isolation and resilience. The lyrics paint a picture of a being that has no reason to cry, suggesting a sense of acceptance or perhaps numbness to its plight. The hog's interaction with 'angels fallen from on high' introduces a spiritual or metaphysical dimension, hinting at a deeper, perhaps tragic, narrative of fallen grace or lost potential.

The imagery of 'bakin' woeful pie' and 'pie of eyesight, pie blue-black' is rich with metaphor. These lines could be interpreted as the hog's way of processing its experiences and emotions, turning them into something tangible, albeit sorrowful. The 'pie of bye-n-bye' suggests a contemplation of the future or the afterlife, adding a layer of existential reflection to the song. The hog's existence in a 'bog so dark and wet' further emphasizes its isolation and the stagnant, unchanging nature of its life.

Despite its forsaken status, the hog is depicted as a resilient figure, 'not like you and I,' with an almost stoic acceptance of its fate. The line 'He is the pork of crime' could be seen as a darkly humorous acknowledgment of the hog's role as a scapegoat or a symbol of sin. The song concludes with the hog singing 'for friend and foe,' suggesting a universal message or a shared human experience of suffering and endurance. Hurley's use of the hog as a central figure allows for a multifaceted exploration of themes such as isolation, resilience, and the human condition, wrapped in a layer of whimsical yet poignant storytelling.