Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Maria" by
Tiger Lillies are about violence and oppression. Maria is symbolically portrayed as a figure who is abused by a man. The lyrics describe how this man physically and emotionally hurts Maria.
"He picks you up in his car,
He opens every opening and scar.
Maria, Maria"
The man cuts Maria down in her prime, but she doesn't give in and doesn't lose strength.
"He mows you down in your bloom,
You won't wither or decrease.
Maria, Maria"
Maria is tortured, held captive, and brutally beaten by the man.
"He tortures you, he holds you tight,
He beats you black, blue, green, and brown.
Maria, Maria"
Finally, the man takes Maria's life and sacrifices it for evil.
"He murders you, he takes your life,
For Satan's, Satan's, Satan's light.
Maria, Maria"
The lyrics also describe how the man abuses Maria's body and feeds off her suffering.
"He feasts on you from dusk till dawn,
His knife will transform your body.
Maria, Maria"
Maria is portrayed as an innocent, beautiful woman with long brown hair who drowns in the man's evil.
"Your hair so long, your hair so brown,
Now you drown in his evil.
Maria, Maria"
The man drinks Maria's blood like holy wine, and she becomes more and more influenced and weakened by his evil.
"He drinks your blood like holy wine,
Now you surrender to his evil.
Maria, Maria"
Overall, the lyrics of the song address the dark side of human nature and the cruelty that some people inflict on others. They depict the desperation and suffering of a character named Maria, who is abused and ultimately destroyed by a man.