Revenga by System of a Down Lyrics Meaning – Decrypting the Vengeance Anthem

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for System of a Down's Revenga at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Poisoning a drink, bleeding in a sink
Choking with a link, killing with a stink
Just your mother’s ho

Bleeding in a sink, poisoning a drink
Burning up, my sweet Clementine

Trampling a shrink, bleeding in a sink
Hallelujah wink, getting on the brink
Just your mother’s ho

Hallelujah wink, murdering a shrink
Burning up

Oh, my sweet revenge
Will be yours for the taking
It’s in the making, baby, oh

My sweet revenge
Will be yours for the taking
It’s in the making, baby, oh

Killing with stink, bleeding in a sink
Poisoning a drink, getting on the brink
Just your mother’s ho

Bleeding in a sink, trampling a shrink
Burning up, my sweet Clementine

Poisoning a drink, bleeding in a sink
Choking with a link, killing with a stink
Just your mother’s ho

Poisoning a drink, bleeding in a sink
Burning up

My sweet revenge
Will be yours for the taking
It’s in the making, baby, oh

My sweet revenge
Will be yours for the taking
It’s in the making, baby, oh

I saw her laugh
Then she said
“Go away”

I saw her laugh
Then she said, then she said
“Go away,” away

Oh, oh, oh

My sweet revenge
Will be yours for the taking
It’s in the making, baby, oh

My sweet revenge
Will be yours, it’s in the making
It’s in the taking, making, baking, taking, faking, oh

Ho
My sweet Clementine
Ho

Shoulda been, coulda been, woulda been, woulda been you
Shoulda been, coulda been, woulda been, woulda been you

System of a Down has a knack for delivering music that pulsates with intensity and shadows of cryptic poetry. ‘Revenga,’ a raw concoction of melodic fury and lyrical mystique, is no exception. The track flirts with themes of revenge, innuendo, and the echoes of a dark nursery rhyme, conjuring a sinister soundscape.

Beneath the abrasive surface of ‘Revenga,’ lies a labyrinth of symbolism and metaphorical imagery. This piece explores the depths of meaning in the aggressive poetry of this enigmatic song, daring listeners to peel back the layers of its sonic identity.

The Clementine Connection: Innocence Lost in ‘Revenga’

Central to the song’s perplexing lyrics is the repeated mention of ‘my sweet Clementine,’ an allusion that runs deeper than a mere refrain. This reference could be a nod to the tragic character of the old American folk song, symbolizing innocence that’s been tarnished or destroyed. In System of a Down’s rendition, Clementine’s burning up becomes a repeated motif, representing either a cleansing by fire or a descent into chaos.

The use of the term ‘my sweet Clementine’ juxtaposed with jaunting lyrics about poisoning and bleeding suggests a tormented relationship with the concept of purity. Perhaps frontman Serj Tankian is positing that in a tumultuous world, even the sweetest parts of our lives are susceptible to corruption and may lead to destructive desires for vengeance.

The Repetition of Retribution: Analyzing the Ominous Chorus

The refrain, ‘My sweet revenge, will be yours for the taking, it’s in the making, baby, oh,’ ripples throughout the track with an obsessive cadence. It hammers home the notion of an impending consequence, an inexorable force being prepared for someone who has wronged the speaker.

This anticipation of revenge can be paralleled to the anticipation of a rousing breakdown in the song’s structure – it lays the foundation for an explosion of emotion and instrumental chaos. It’s a reflection of the organized turbulence integral to System of a Down’s style, keeping you at the edge of instability.

Behind the Cryptic Curtain: The Song’s Hidden Meaning

On the surface, ‘Revenga’ portrays outlandish acts of violence and potential insanity. However, by venturing beyond the vivid literal descriptions, it’s possible to unearth a subtler commentary on the cycles of abuse and the psychological scars they leave. The flipping of perpetrator and victim roles throughout the song implies a cycle, where those hurt may turn to hurt others, seeking a ‘sweet revenge.’

The song is potentially a commentary on the wrath that can be born from being wronged and the intoxicating allure revenge can have on a soul. One can argue that System of a Down is warning their audience about the consuming nature of vengeance through their provocative storytelling.

The Mother’s Ho: Unraveling a String of Provocative Language

Repeatedly, the phrase ‘Just your mother’s ho’ permeates the song, a seemingly crude and jarring interjection amidst the tapestry of vengeance. It could be interpreted as a dismissive insult, a signal of disrespect to the song’s antagonist, but it may also serve a dual purpose. This line could be challenging the listener to confront societal and familial constructs, suggesting a conflict with authority or tradition.

Nevertheless, System of a Down is infamous for embedding sardonic undertones within their lyrics. Therefore, this line could equally be an irreverent jab at the careless way words can be used as weapons, contributing further to the thematic circle of injurious behavior.

Memorable Lines: ‘Shoulda been, coulda been, woulda been, woulda been you’

As ‘Revenga’ approaches its conclusion, the lines ‘Shoulda been, coulda been, woulda been, woulda been you’ are muttered like a mantra. This repetition echoes the shadows of regret and the nagging thoughts that often accompany vengeful sentiments. It leaves the listener uncertain – is it a depiction of a missed opportunity for peace, or a ruminating contemplation of an opportunity for payback that never arrived?

This phrase encapsulates the futility of revenge. It’s a stark reminder that no matter how compelling the pursuit might be, the act itself will never change what ‘shoulda,’ ‘coulda,’ or ‘woulda’ been. System of a Down confronts us with the bitter truth – revenge is an endless chase after vindication that might never come.