Mortem Saluta
Gardens of Gehenna Lyrics

The lyrics of Gardens of Gehenna's song Mortem Saluta are haunting and profound. The repeated phrase "Mortem saluta" means "greet death," a theme that runs throughout the whole song. The plea for death to come is juxtaposed with the image of a crying beauty, whose tears go unheard. The singer asks this beauty to pray for a sudden end, indicating that they are in great pain and are seeking release from their suffering. The line "Peritura mortem saluta" means "greet death, perishable one," suggesting that death is the only way to escape our mortal limitations.

The next stanza reveals that the singer has been haunted by secrets and dreams that have turned into "plagues and demons." These demons cannot be banished from their brain, and they laugh at the singer's pain. This image is one of psychological torment, suggesting that the singer is struggling with their inner demons. The demons are described as having "darkened wings," which is a powerful metaphor for something that is both terrifying and beautiful.

The final stanza contains a series of paradoxical statements that suggest that life is full of contradictions. The higher one flies, the deeper the fall, implying that success brings with it the risk of failure. The more one has, the less satisfied they are, suggesting that material possessions do not bring happiness. If one has never laughed, they will never mourn, since sadness arises from a sense of loss. Finally, the line "you'll never be lonely, if you've ever been alone" suggests that loneliness is not necessarily a bad thing and that it may hold the key to personal growth.