Meaning of "Taurobolium" by Devendra Banhart

In this song, Devendra Banhart explores the internal battle between good and evil that resides within an individual. The repetition of the line "I can't keep myself from evil" emphasizes the speaker's feeling of powerlessness and their continuous succumbing to the darker aspects of their personality. The inability to resist evil suggests a struggle with impulses and temptation, ultimately leading to a sense of self-frustration and guilt. The repetition of "So much desire there left in me" implies a profound longing and yearning that the speaker feels, which they believe others may not perceive. This desire is coupled with a sense of perversion, indicating unconventional or corrupted desires that further contribute to the speaker's dissatisfaction with themselves. Additionally, the mention of "malignance" that others cannot see reveals a hidden darkness within the speaker, possibly suggesting a desire to maintain a façade of normality while grappling with these internal conflicts.

Overall, the lyrics of "Taurobolium" delve into the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to resist negative impulses. Banhart highlights the frustration of being unable to escape one's own darkness and the persistent presence of unfulfilled and possibly perceived as taboo desires. It serves as a reflection on the inherent duality of human nature, where the battle between good and evil plays out within the individual.