The first verse describes an event of cosmic proportions: "the universe explodes", "planets are paralyzed, [and] mountains are amazed" by the raising of a falling star.
[7][8] The third and fourth verses describe the hero's development: he has the insight that "beneath the greatest love, there's a hurricane of hate", yet he is driven to spread his message of redemption despite the tremendous difficulty.
"[11][12] In the ninth and tenth verses, the hero's myth grows as the public's memory of the events fades, and his message is sterilized; the cycle has ended.
[13][14] "Crucifixion" usually is interpreted by listeners as an allegory likening the life and assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy to the career of Jesus,[10][15][16][17] although Ochs intentionally chose not to tie the title directly to the famous crucifixion, allowing the listener to understand that "the same tragic sacrifice recurs throughout history".
In the distant past, Ochs said, the people would sacrifice a healthy young man to the gods; today, things were the same.
A writer at Beat described the song as "Ochs' most important work to date"[19] and Billboard wrote that it was "very hip".
[25]The resulting arrangement included brass instruments, flutes, strings, organ, electric harpsichord, percussion, backward tapes, and electronic oscillations.
[29] An acoustic version of "Crucifixion", consisting of Ochs accompanying himself on guitar, was recorded on March 13, 1969, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
This acoustic version was first issued on the 1976 compilation Chords of Fame, released shortly after Ochs's death.
[32] "Crucifixion" has been covered by several performers beside Jim and Jean, including Greg Greenway, Jeannie Lewis, David Massengill, Garnet Rogers, Anna Coogan and Glenn Yarbrough.