Hell In A Handbasket

Voltaire's song 'Hell In A Handbasket' is a darkly humorous and defiant exploration of the concept of damnation and the afterlife. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is unapologetically facing their end, acknowledging their sins and virtues with a sense of acceptance and even a touch of pride. The opening lines set the tone, with the protagonist facing the 'final curtain' and bidding farewell to life's struggles, confident in their own moral balance despite their flaws.

The song delves into the paradoxes and ironies of religious beliefs, particularly the concept of hell. Voltaire questions the necessity of hell if all souls are forgiven, highlighting the absurdity with a playful reference to the 'sulfury smell' and the fire 'creeping up my thigh.' This irreverent attitude is further emphasized by the repeated refrain of going to hell 'in a handbasket,' a phrase that suggests a rapid and inevitable descent into damnation, yet is delivered with a sense of nonchalance and even amusement.

Voltaire's use of cultural references, such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and '666 the number of the beast,' adds layers of meaning and humor to the song. These references serve to mock the fear and solemnity often associated with hell, instead presenting it as a place of camaraderie and even preference over mundane life ('I'd rather be Kentucky fried than alive and kicking in jersey any day'). The song ultimately challenges the listener to reconsider their own beliefs about sin, punishment, and the afterlife, suggesting that hell is a construct of the mind rather than a literal place of torment.