Sarajevo
Artica Lyrics

The opening lines of Artica’s song Sarajevo convey a sense of violence and upheaval with the image of blood on stones like rocks crashing against waves. The lyrics continue with references to the silence loved by the eyes and the struggle between fathers and sons, perhaps alluding to the ethnic and political conflicts that plagued the city during the Bosnian War. The sound of unsheathed blades and angry barking dogs further adds to the sense of danger, until the refrain of “Sarajevo, Sarajevo…” brings the song back to its titular setting.

As the lyrics progress, they paint a picture of a city and people caught in a nightmarish hellscape. The singer of the song is described as a motionless statue in the gardens of time, seemingly trapped in a state of paralysis or numbness. The lyrics then evoke a heart-wrenching image of a mother weeping over the skull of her child, and her screams echoing fruitlessly in the wind. Throughout the song, the refrain of “Sarajevo, Sarajevo…” acts almost like a chant, reinforcing the idea of a place both cursed and haunted.

Overall, Artica’s Sarajevo is a powerful and evocative tribute to a city that has experienced unfathomable trauma and loss. The lyrics capture the sense of horror and despair that comes from witnessing such cruelty and destruction, while also paying tribute to the resilience of those left behind.