The members appear under fictitous identities who claim to be from the 19th century.
The band's name originates from the novel "Der Sandmann" by German Romantic author E.T.A. Hoffmann who also inspired some songs. The band has been praised for its live performances.
Max Coppella - Vocals, Clarinet
Nobusama - Drums
Graf Lindorf - Vocals, Cello
Comte Caspar - Vocals, Clarinet, Cembalo
Sissy Voss - Bass
Bastille - Vocals, Cembalo, Servant
Prof. Mosch Terpin - Technician, Cembalo
Surely
Coppelius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No wonder she makes you forget, where you are
To tell you of that goddess is my duty
No rose or swan could match her beauty
I knew as time went by she'd be gone
When I see her I know, life goes on and on
Surely I cannot live like a monk
She could make the mountains shake
And every sleeping flower wake
When she spoke to me it felt like a breeze
That gently blows in spring through trees
I can't recall what she said, my blood started to run
But the look in her eyes said "You're the chosen one"
I tried to answer it took me a while
But what I said chased away her smile
Surely I cannot live like a monk
But to court her, I was just too drunk
With a very hard slap that shattered my face
I knew soon she'd be on the next one's trace
When I think of the pain my eyes open wide
I'm glad no one saw, how bad I cried
The lyrics of Coppelius's song Surely narrate a story of a man who is completely mesmerized by the stunning beauty of a woman that walks into the room. He describes her in such an exaggerated manner that it feels as if she is not just any woman, but a goddess who has come down to earth. As the man sees her, he realizes that life goes on and on, emphasizing the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitable passage of time. Despite knowing that this moment is temporary, the man cannot help but feel drawn to her.
The lyrics also touch upon the regret the man feels for his actions that made the woman leave him. He acknowledges that he cannot simply "live like a monk" and not pursue her but reveals that he made a mistake by trying to court her while he was drunk. The woman's rejection is made clear through the lyrics when she slaps him, acknowledging her displeasure towards his actions. The pain felt by the man is palpable through the lines as he hides his tears and the bruises on his face from the world.
The song is both a tale of fleeting beauty as well as the consequences of one's actions. It emphasizes the importance of being mindful of how our actions can affect others and the consequences that we may face.
Line by Line Meaning
When she walked in, she shone like a star
Her radiance made everyone else pale in comparison
No wonder she makes you forget, where you are
She has a mesmerizing presence that can even make you lose track of your surroundings
To tell you of that goddess is my duty
It's my obligation to praise her divine-like beauty
No rose or swan could match her beauty
Her loveliness is unmatched by any living thing, however beautiful
I knew as time went by she'd be gone
I was aware that her stay would only be temporary
When I see her I know, life goes on and on
Her departure won't end the world, life will continue
Surely I cannot live like a monk
I'm not capable of living a life of celibacy and solitude
But to court her, I was just too drunk
I was too infatuated with her to realize the futility of my efforts
She could make the mountains shake
Her influence over the world was seemingly limitless
And every sleeping flower wake
Her presence brought life and vitality to everything around her
When she spoke to me it felt like a breeze
Her voice was as soothing as a gentle spring wind
That gently blows in spring through trees
It was a calming and refreshing experience
I can't recall what she said, my blood started to run
Her words were so captivating that it caused my heart to race and my mind to go blank
But the look in her eyes said 'You're the chosen one'
Despite my lack of memory, I felt like I had been singled out and honored by her gaze
I tried to answer it took me a while
I struggled to form words in response to her apparent interest in me
But what I said chased away her smile
My response was so awkward or inappropriate that it caused her to lose interest and stop smiling
With a very hard slap that shattered my face
Her reaction to my words was physical and painful
I knew soon she'd be on the next one's trace
I realized that she would simply move on and find someone else to captivate
When I think of the pain my eyes open wide
The memories of her rejection and physical abuse still haunt me
I'm glad no one saw, how bad I cried
I'm grateful that my emotional breakdown was a private moment and not witnessed by others
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.