Meaning of "Smothered Hope" by Ministry

The lyrics of "Smothered Hope" by Ministry delve into themes of despair, disillusionment, and existential questioning. The withered rope symbolizes something that cannot remain, echoing the idea of hope being smothered. The song questions the nature of life and the unfairness of its constant shifts and injustices. The repetition of "life shifts up and down everybody knows it's wrong" reflects a sense of universal dissatisfaction with the world and a feeling of powerlessness in the face of its challenges. The idea of crawling to the top only to fall through the bottom highlights the futility of striving for success in a world where first-hand love is portrayed as rotten. The overarching sense of discontent with life and a desire to not know any more represents a deep sense of disillusionment with the world and a longing for escape or release from its confines.