Swedish rock band Ghost’s ‘Mary on a Cross’ is a song about Sister Imperator and Papa Nihil’s ‘blasphemous’ love affair, however this love song has been accused of encouraging blasphemy by many critics and media outlets. It briefly references God and uses religious terminology. However, charges arise when one is dependent on satanic visions. The inverted cross is a primary source of concern for them. Mary, the protagonist of Swedish Rock Band Ghost’s “Mary on a Cross,” is experiencing romantic success despite insisting that she is a virgin. Tobias Forge clarifies in an interview that they don’t want anyone to think this is the character Mary’s mother of Jesus, as they do not wish to raise doubts about her virginity status.
Is Mary on the Cross a Blasphemy Phase?
Even as the song’s title suggests, Ghost’s “Mary on a Cross” is blasphemous since it casts doubt on the innocence of the Blessed Virgin Mary Magdalene and uses the cross as a sexual symbol (“You go down just like Holy Mary / Mary on a, Mary on a cross.”) The song can also be read as a metaphor for the illogical thinking accompanying recreational drug use as intoxication from recreational drugs can alter how the mind processes information in fundamental ways.
Mary on the Cross explores the irrational thoughts that come to mind under the influence of illicit substances. Some questions that could arise in the mind of the user might be, “Is the infamous virgin Mary genuinely holy?” or “How did she birth Christ if she was sacred?” etc. either way it leans into mockery of the Christian faith.
Song Lyrics Meaning of the Mary on a Cross
From a live performance of “Mary on a Cross” on YouTube Ghost lead signer Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) discusses how drawing parallels to the Holy Mary is sacrilegious because she was praying for Jesus on her feet. The manner this song was constructed constantly hints at a plot twist involving marijuana use. It features a story about the misadventures of the band members and the vile contrast between scatological tales and pious themes. This song has been panned because of its overtly religious subject matter.
Is the Song Satanic?
To us, “Mary on a Cross” does not depict a Satanic lady but a woman sharing in Jesus’s agony. However, others may claim that the group Ghost has Satanic intentions or that the song is a ‘sex song’ and has references to things like internal tickling / oral sex (“I will tickle you internally”) and references to recreational drug use like smoking weed “…through all the sorrow, we’ve been riding high.”
The song could have a Satanic meaning in their eyes. All that matters is how each individual hears the words. Some see “Mary on a Cross” as blasphemy, while others who see it as Satanic may also find it offensive.
Conclusion about Mary on a Cross
Ghost’s “Mary on a Cross” is a powerful message of tolerance and acceptance for people of all faiths and backgrounds. The song’s message is that we should show our enemies the love we have for them by showing them the sacrifice Jesus performed for us. It is a constant reminder of our interconnectedness and the necessity of appreciating one another for genuine love.
More Context about the Rock Band Ghost & the song
The song appeared on the bands 2019 album Seven Inches of Satanic Panic, which charted at number three on the “Billboard” 200 charts and the UK Albums Chart, at number nine on the Swiss Albums Chart, and in the top twenty in Australia. In Germany, it sold for over 160,000 months in 2006. It was certified gold by the IFPI in France in 2006. By July 2006, however, the album had sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide and launched Ghost in the US Billboard Hot 100 for the first time. “
The album which contains two songs (Kiss the Go-Goat and Mary on a Cross) was written by Ghost vocalist Tobias Forge and songwriters Salem al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, produced by Gene Walker and recorded at Park Studio in Stockholm, Sweden.
Lyrics
We were speeding together
Down the dark avenues
But besides all the stardom
All we got was blues
But through all the sorrow
We were riding high
And the truth of the matter is
I never let you go, let you go
We were scanning the cities
Walking to greater dues
But besides all the glamour
All we got was bruised
But through all the sorrow
We were riding high
And the truth of the matter is
I had to let you go, let you go
You go down just like Holy Mary
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
Not just another Bloody Mary
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
If you choose to run away with me
I will tickle you internally
And I see nothing wrong with that
We were searching for reasons
To play by the rules
But we quickly found
It was just for fools
And after all the sorrow
We’ll be riding high
And the truth of the matter is
I’ll never let you go, let you go
You go down just like Holy Mary
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
Not just another Bloody Mary
Mary on a, Mary on a
You go down just like Holy Mary
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
Your beauty never ever scared me
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
If you choose to run away with me
I will tickle you internally
And I see nothing wrong with that
Nothing wrong with that
(Mary on a, Mary on a cross)
Nothing wrong with that
(Mary on a, Mary on a cross)
Mary on a, Mary on a cross
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: A Ghoul Writer
Mary On A Cross lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ab
Listeners of Metal music, might also appreciate the song Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.
This article was first published February 15th 2023 and last updated May 19th 2023.
