Dear Clarice
Hans Zimmer Lyrics


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Dear Clarice...
I have followed|with enthusiasm...
The course of your disgrace|and public shaming.
My own never bothered me...
Except for the inconvenience|of being incarcerated.
But you may lack perspective.
In our discussions|down in the dungeon...
It was apparent to me|that your father...
The dead night watchman...
Figures largely|in your value system.
I think your success|in putting an end...
To Jame Gumb's career|as a couturier...
Pleased you most...
Because you could imagine|your father being pleased.
But now, alas, you're in|bad odor with the FBI.
Do you imagine your daddy|being shamed by your disgrace?
Do you see him|in his plain pine box...
Crushed by your failure?
The sorry, petty end|of a promising career?
What is worst about|this humiliation, Clarice?
Is it how your failure...
Will reflect|on your mommy and daddy?
Is your worst fear that people|will now and forever...
Believe they were indeed...
Just good old trailer camp,|tornado-bait, white trash?
And that perhaps you are, too?
By the way,|I couldn't help noticing...
On the FBI's|rather dull public website...
That I have been hoisted...
From the Bureau's archives|of the common criminal...
And elevated|to the more prestigious...
Ten Most Wanted List.
Is this coincidence,|or are you back on the case?
If so, goody goody.
I need to come out of retirement|and return to public life.
Clearly this new assignment|is not your choice.
Rather, I suppose it is|part of the bargain...
But you accepted it, Clarice.
Your job is to craft my doom.
So I am not sure how well|I should wish you...




But I'm sure|we'll have a lot of fun.
Ta-ta.

Overall Meaning

The song "Dear Clarice" by Hans Zimmer is a haunting and enigmatic piece of music that captures the essence of the relationship between Dr. Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Clarice Starling in the film "Hannibal." The lyrics are spoken from the perspective of Dr. Lecter and are addressed to Clarice, whom he admires and enjoys manipulating. The song opens with Dr. Lecter stating that he has been following Clarice's recent exploits, particularly her public disgrace and shaming. He then reflects on his own incarceration and states that he is not bothered by it, except for the inconvenience. Dr. Lecter then questions Clarice's perspective on her own situation and suggests that her father, who was a night watchman, still figures largely in her value system. He notes that she probably relished ending the career of Jame Gumb, the notorious serial killer, because she could imagine her father being pleased with her success. However, he also taunts her with the idea of her father being shamed by her disgrace and points out that her failure will reflect on her family.


Dr. Lecter then observes that he has been elevated from the Bureau's archives of common criminals to the Ten Most Wanted List and wonders if Clarice is back on the case. He suggests that their relationship is part of a bargain she has accepted to craft his doom, and he taunts her with the idea that they will have a lot of fun together. The lyrics are delivered in a cold, calculating manner that underscores Dr. Lecter's psychopathy and his desire to control Clarice. The music is eerie and foreboding, with discordant violin and piano notes that create a sense of unease and tension.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear Clarice...
Beginning of a letter addressed to Clarice.


I have followed|with enthusiasm...
I have closely monitored your downfall and public embarrassment, and I find it fascinating.


The course of your disgrace|and public shaming.
The path you took towards losing your reputation and being publicly humiliated.


My own never bothered me...
I was never worried about my own disgrace or reputation being damaged.


Except for the inconvenience|of being incarcerated.
The only problem with my own disgrace was the fact that I had to go to jail.


But you may lack perspective.
You might not fully understand the circumstances and consequences of your actions.


In our discussions|down in the dungeon...
During our conversations while I was imprisoned in the dungeon.


It was apparent to me|that your father...
I realized that your father had a significant impact on your values and beliefs.


The dead night watchman...
Your father, who was a night watchman and is now deceased.


Figures largely|in your value system.
Is an important part of the principles and morals you live by.


I think your success|in putting an end...
I believe that you were particularly satisfied with catching and stopping Jame Gumb because you thought your father would approve.


To Jame Gumb's career|as a couturier...
To Jame Gumb's job as a fashion designer.


Pleased you most...
Made you the happiest.


Because you could imagine|your father being pleased.
You could picture your father being happy and proud of you.


But now, alas, you're in|bad odor with the FBI.
But now, unfortunately, you have a negative reputation with the FBI.


Do you imagine your daddy|being shamed by your disgrace?
Do you think your father would feel ashamed of you because of what happened?


Do you see him|in his plain pine box...
Can you visualize your father's simple wooden casket after his death?


Crushed by your failure?
Feeling disappointed and let down by your lack of success.


The sorry, petty end|of a promising career?
The miserable and insignificant conclusion to a career that once had great potential.


What is worst about|this humiliation, Clarice?
What is the most terrible aspect of your humiliation, Clarice?


Is it how your failure...
Is it the way in which your lack of success...


Will reflect|on your mommy and daddy?
Will negatively impact the perception of your mother and father?


Is your worst fear that people|will now and forever...
Are you most afraid that people will always...


Believe they were indeed...
Think that your parents were really...


Just good old trailer camp,|tornado-bait, white trash?
Typical residents of a trailer park commonly considered to be low-class and at risk of disaster.


And that perhaps you are, too?
And that maybe you also belong in that category.


By the way,|I couldn't help noticing...
By the way, I couldn't help but notice...


On the FBI's|rather dull public website...
On the FBI's not very exciting public website...


That I have been hoisted...
That my name has been raised...


From the Bureau's archives|of the common criminal...
From the records of the FBI's everyday criminals...


And elevated|to the more prestigious...
And moved up to the higher-ranking...


Ten Most Wanted List.
Top ten criminals that the FBI is currently looking for.


Is this coincidence,|or are you back on the case?
Is this a chance occurrence or a sign that you are once again working on catching me?


If so, goody goody.
If true, that's good news for me.


I need to come out of retirement|and return to public life.
I need to become an active criminal again and engage with the public.


Clearly this new assignment|is not your choice.
It is evident that this recent task is not something you volunteered for or wanted.


Rather, I suppose it is|part of the bargain...
I assume that it is a consequence of the deal you made with your superiors...


But you accepted it, Clarice.
But you said yes to the assignment, Clarice.


Your job is to craft my doom.
Your responsibility is to plan and execute my downfall.


So I am not sure how well|I should wish you...
So I'm not certain how much good luck I should offer you...


But I'm sure|we'll have a lot of fun.
But I'm positive that we will nevertheless have a lot of enjoyment and amusement together.


Ta-ta.
Goodbye.




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