Burn the Witch

The lyrics describe a community gripped by fear and suspicion. People are urged to stay hidden, avoid contact, and obey, while a crowd celebrates punishment. The repeated warning, “We know where you live,” makes the threat feel personal and inescapable. The mood grows from anxious caution into open intimidation, though the song does not explain who is being targeted or why.

Several images suggest persecution. “Cheer at the gallows” pairs public celebration with execution, making cruelty seem like entertainment. “Red crosses on wooden doors” may suggest that people are being marked or singled out. The line “if you float you burn” evokes a cruel test in which any result can be used to condemn someone. “Shoot the messengers” also implies punishing those who bring unwelcome news instead of listening to them.

One interpretation is that the lyrics criticize panic-driven group behavior: people abandon reason, repeat a hostile chant, and treat suspicion as proof. But the exact target of the warning remains unclear, and the song may be creating a threatening atmosphere rather than telling a specific story. The chant could represent a crowd’s anger, a society’s pressure to conform, or both.