A Covenant of Thorns is a one-man, Synthpop/Darkwave project from the Unite… Read Full Bio ↴A Covenant of Thorns is a one-man, Synthpop/Darkwave project from the United States. Formed in Seattle, in 1992, by Scott-David Allen, the project is currently based in the upper midwest, outside of Chicago.

His music is NOT an attempt to drunkenly lash out with personal demons. His music is NOT an attempt to escape and fortify nor to overindulge and obsess. Scott-David's music is brave. Hopeful. Honest. His lyrics and music contain a humility that comforts the human condition.

Necropolis
A Covenant of Thorns Lyrics

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I've never seen you look so old
Your limbs are numb and your body's cold
I see your angels smiling down at me
I hear your angels crying out for me

And I want to love, but the feelings stick
And I try to push, but it's never enough
And I want to speak, but the words get stuck

And I try to run, but it's never enough

And I see your smile and it looks like death
Into your eyes all I see is death

And I don't need your angels smiling down at me
And I don't want your angels crying out for me

Overall Meaning

The song "Necropolis" by A Covenant of Thorns is a dark and hauntingly beautiful portrayal of grief and loss. The lyrics express the singer's confusion and struggle to come to terms with the death of a loved one. The first stanza describes the physical deterioration of the deceased, with their body growing cold and numb. The second stanza explores the singer's emotional response to the loss, with conflicting feelings of love and frustration that can't be expressed. The third stanza reveals a deep sense of unease with the image of the deceased's smile resembling death and their eyes holding only the same. The final two lines act as a rejection of the deceased's angels, as the singer wants to avoid any further reminders of their grief.

The entirety of "Necropolis" is a poignant reminder of the complexity of loss and the difficulty of moving on. The contrast between the peaceful image of angels and the disturbing imagery of death creates a sense of unease for the listener. The haunting melody and reflective lyrics provide a space for listeners to process their own experiences with grief and loss, making this song a powerful and emotional work of art.

Line by Line Meaning

I've never seen you look so old
You appear visibly aged and weak, which I have never witnessed before

Your limbs are numb and your body's cold
Your body is numb and lifeless, with no warmth or vitality

I see your angels smiling down at me
I sense a positive and uplifting presence around me, which I attribute to your angels

I hear your angels crying out for me
I perceive a call for help or attention, coming from your angels

And I want to love, but the feelings stick
I desire to give and receive affection, but there are obstacles or hesitations in my emotions

And I try to push, but it's never enough
I attempt to overcome the hurdles or limitations, but my efforts are futile or insufficient

And I want to speak, but the words get stuck
I wish to express myself verbally, but I feel blocked or silenced

And I try to run, but it's never enough
I endeavor to escape or avoid the situation, but I am always held back or slowed down

And I see your smile and it looks like death
The expression on your face is reminiscent of a corpse or a dying person

Into your eyes all I see is death
When I look at your eyes, I perceive an absence of life or vitality, a sense of mortality or decay

And I don't need your angels smiling down at me
I do not require external validation or approval from your supposed divine guardians

And I don't want your angels crying out for me
I am not interested in being the recipient of any calls for aid or attention that your angels may be making

Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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