Meaning of "Everything Rests On Your Small Shoulders" by Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)

The lyrics of "Everything Rests On Your Small Shoulders" by Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) explore the theme of hypocrisy and the deceptive nature of appearances. The narrator reflects on a person who outwardly portrays themselves as pious and moral, painting a cross on their forehead and acting like a saint in the narrator's backyard. However, their actions and behavior do not align with this facade, as they continue to exhibit negative traits such as selfishness and arrogance. The narrator sees through this hypocrisy, recognizing the irony of their claims of newfound love and forgiveness while still behaving poorly. The lyrics highlight the idea that true character is revealed through actions, not just words or outward displays of religiosity. Ultimately, the song delves into the complexities of human nature and the dissonance between how we present ourselves to the world and our actual behavior.