Ethel Cain is an American singer-songwriter known for her unique music style that feels dreamy and otherworldly. Her songs often explore themes from Christian music and ancient chants, diving into feelings of nostalgia and the eerie atmosphere of the American South.
One of her songs, “Ptolemaea,” is an industrial doom metal track named after the part of Hell in Dante’s Inferno that shares Ethel Cain’s name.
In this article, I’ll break down the lyrics of “Ptolemaea” by Ethel Cain, focusing on the song’s repeated ideas and the emotions it brings out.
The Story Behind “Ptolemaea”
The title of the song, “Ptolemaea,” draws its inspiration from one of the concentric rings of the Ninth Circle of Hell, as described in Dante’s Inferno. This particular circle is dedicated to those who betrayed their guests, a theme that resonated strongly with Ethel Cain.
In Ethel’s words, “I was immediately like, ‘That’s how it feels.’ When someone invites you in, brings you into their life, just to hurt you. I was scared of the demo the next day when I listened to it.”
In the song’s heaviest moments, influenced by Isaiah’s drugs, Cain experiences hallucinations and confronts the darkness enveloping her.
“Ptolemaea” refers to one of the four concentric rings in the Ninth Circle of Hell, named after Ptolemy. This deepest level, where Satan resides, also carries the name Ptolemea. Its origin lies in the story of Ptolemy, son of Abubus, who invited Simon Maccabaeus and his sons to dinner only to betray and murder them.
This specific circle is reserved for hosts who betray their guests, and the severity of their punishment reflects the belief that welcoming guests establishes a voluntary relationship. Betraying such a willingly entered relationship is considered more despicable.
The connection to Ethel Cain’s story becomes more intriguing, potentially serving as a metaphor for her abandonment of family and faith, leading to a fate perceived as even more severe.
“Ptolemaea” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
“I followed you in and I was with you there
I invited you in twice, I did
You love blood too much
But not like I do
Not like I do”
In the first part of the song, Ethel Cain sets a mysterious and intimate mood. The repeated phrases “I followed you” and “I invited you in” hint at a strong connection or maybe even an obsession.
When she says “You love blood too much,” it suggests an interest in darkness and violence, but Cain argues that her own connection with blood goes even deeper.
This might signify a longing for self-destruction or a hunger for a profound understanding of life’s complexities and pain.
Chorus
“Heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you
Need you, love you, love you, love you
Heard you, saw you, felt you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you…”
The chorus’s repetitive pattern highlights a strong feeling of longing and desperation in Ethel Cain’s song. She deeply craves connection and expresses the need to be acknowledged, understood, and loved.
The repeated phrase “love you” captures a yearning for affection and the challenge of fully understanding or achieving its fulfillment.
This repetition might also symbolize the cycle of human emotions and the persistent desire for a love that is both intense and mutual.
Verse 2
“You don’t have to say yes to me
Suffer does the wolf, crawling to thee
Promising a big fire, any fire
Saying I’m the one, he’s gonna take me
I’m on fire, I’m on fire, I’m on fire
Suffering is nigh, drawing to me
Calling me the one, I’m the white light
Beautiful, finite
Even the iron still fears the rot
Hiding from something I cannot stop
Walking on shadows, I can’t lead him back, uh
Buckled on the floor when night comes along
Daddy’s left and momma won’t come home, oh, uh
You poor thing
Sweet, mourning lamb
There’s nothing you can do
It’s already been done”
In this verse, Ethel Cain vividly describes her anguish and despair. The allusions to a wolf and fire suggest a predatory force seeking to consume her. She feels chosen for destruction, and the metaphorical “wolf” of suffering is closing in.
Unfortunately, she can’t escape; she’s “buckled on the floor when night comes along,” and “Daddy’s left, and momma won’t come home.” Alone, she’s like a “mourning lamb” awaiting consumption by the impending “wolf.”
In the lines “Calling me the one, I’m the white light/Beautiful, finite,” Cain implies her spiritual purity. Some see “white light” as a reservoir of positive energy symbolizing purity and the divine. However, the line “Even the iron still fears the rot” introduces a contrast, suggesting that even someone as pure as her can be tainted by evil.
Overall, the vivid imagery of shadows and the inability to escape underscores a profound sense of powerlessness. The mention of absent parents adds another layer, highlighting abandonment and the burden of familial dysfunction.
Bridge
“What fear a man like you brings upon a woman like me (show me your face)
Please, don’t look at me
I can see it in your eyes, he keeps looking at me
Tell me, what have you done?
Stop, stop, stop, make it stop
Stop, make it stop, make it stop
I’ve had enough
Stop, stop, stop, stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop”
In the bridge, Cain delves into themes of fear, shame, and vulnerability. The fear she feels from a man’s gaze highlights the oppressive nature of societal expectations and the objectification of women.
The repeated plea of “Stop, stop, stop” expresses a desperate desire for relief from the pain and suffering.
These lines communicate a profound exhaustion and a longing to break free from a cycle of abuse or trauma perpetuated by others.
Overall Message
Ethel Cain’s song “Ptolemaea” draws inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, particularly the Ninth Circle of Hell. This circle punishes those who betray their guests, a theme that deeply resonated with Cain and reflects her own feelings of betrayal.
Her personal connection to betrayal is evident in how she talks about the song’s creation. While creating this song, Ethel Cain went through a powerful change in perspective, possibly influenced by her own experiences and drugs.
The song’s intense moments are a way for her to explore the darkness she sees around her. The song is not only about external betrayals but also the inner struggles with darkness and doubt.
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