This post features the lyrical stylings of Shannon Cwikla, valiant comrade of the Order, who you may know from her portrayal of the grotesque corpse in our most recent Ecstasy of Decay video.
Though both your mortician and Shannon find the Lady Gaga song “Born this Way” far too earnest and redolent of 90’s dance band La Bouche, I told her that everytime I heard the chorus I heard the words “Born to Decay.”
Imagine my surprise when Shannon busted out this little gem- an ode to bodily decomposition. The one trait every living thing on earth shares.
Born to Decay
Intro
It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M Just put your paws up ‘Cause you were born to decay, baby
Verse
My mama told me when I was young
And my favorite puppy died
“He’s just on a long vacation, hun.”
I waited for him every night.
But now I’m older and I know the truth
I’m wise to my mom’s white lie
No illusions remain from my youth
Now I’m gonna tell you why
Chorus
No matter what people say
We die a little each day
There’s only one track baby
We were born to decay!
Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just accept death and you’re set
There’s only one track baby
We were born to decay!
Post-chorus
Ooo there ain’t no other way
We were all born to decay
We were all born to decay
Ooo there ain’t no other way
We were all born to decay
ONE track baby
We were born to decayDon’t live a lie – just live and die
Don’t live a lie – just live and die
Don’t live a lie – just live and die
Don’t live!
Verse
Give yourself prudence
And love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
Despite delusions of the unaware
No one escapes fleeting youth
Your mortality is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (hey hey hey)
I love my life I love this death and
Requiescat in pace, y’all
Bridge Don’t live a lie – just live and die Whether you’re broke or evergreen You’re black, white, beige, chola descent You’re lebanese, you’re orient Whether life’s disabilities Left you outcast, bullied, or teased Rejoice and love yourself today ‘Cause one day babe, you’ll go away!
No matter gay, straight, or bi, Lesbian, transgendered life There’s only one track baby No one ever survives No matter black, white or beige Chola or orient made There’s only one track baby We’re all bound for the grave
Outro/Refrain
We were born to decay!
We were born to decay!
There’s only one track baby
We were born to decay!
We were born to decay!
We were born to decay!
There’s only one track baby We were born to decay!