Meaning of "Supposed to Rot" by Entombed

"Supposed to Rot" is an eerie and disturbing exploration of the consequences of committing a heinous act. The lyrics delve into the mindset of the narrator, who is consumed by anger and resentment towards someone they consider to be a burden in their life. The repetitive use of the phrase "worthless hag" reflects the narrator's dehumanization of the victim and their disdain for them. The violent act of stabbing the person in the head and burying them in the fruit cellar is a manifestation of the narrator's desire for the individual to be gone, permanently erased from their life.

However, the disappointment and confusion arise as the narrator realizes that the expected decay of the body and the liberation from the person's existence never occur. The maggots don't feast on the body, and the individual remains unchanged, haunting the narrator day and night. This failure to rot becomes an extended metaphor for the narrator's inability to escape the consequences of their actions and the guilt that plagues their consciousness.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of regret. Although initially feeling a sense of satisfaction in the death of the person they despised, the narrator quickly realizes the gravity of their actions and comes to regret the murder. The repetition of the line "A murder I regret" emphasizes the weight of the narrator's guilt and their longing for redemption.

Through its dark and macabre imagery, "Supposed to Rot" highlights the destructive nature of harboring hatred and seeking vengeance. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the permanent emotional damage caused by committing heinous acts and the unrelenting presence of guilt that can haunt an individual long after the act itself.