Meaning of "Bearing The Serpent's Lamb" by Job For A Cowboy

The lyrics of "Bearing The Serpent's Lamb" delve into themes of corruption, evil, and the questioning of religious beliefs. The imagery and language used in the song depict a woman who is suffering physically and mentally due to her pregnancy. The concept of the "serpent's lamb" suggests that the child she is carrying is not ordinary, but rather a symbol of evil and darkness, perhaps even the Antichrist.

The woman's repulsion towards her own body highlights the idea that she is merely a vessel for this malevolent force. Her feelings of nausea, choking on vomit, and convulsions represent the physical toll that this pregnancy is taking on her. The lyrics make it clear that she is overwhelmed and weak, struggling to stay awake and attentive to her own life.

In her moments of desperation, she questions the nature of God and the existence of evil. She asks why a supposedly benevolent deity would allow such deep evil to exist in the world, posing the philosophical concept of theodicy. This raises the theme of human suffering and the age-old question of why an all-powerful and loving God would permit evil to persist.

The closing lines of the song suggest that the child born to this woman is destined to become the Antichrist. This prophetic element adds a sense of darkness and foreboding to the narrative. It implies that evil can be born and nurtured within innocent vessels, such as this woman, highlighting the potential corruptibility of humanity.

Overall, "Bearing The Serpent's Lamb" explores the themes of corruption, evil, and the questioning of religious beliefs. It raises philosophical questions about the nature of God and the presence of evil in the world, while also using powerful imagery to depict the physical and emotional toll inflicted upon the woman bearing this malevolent child.