La'cryma Christi is a Japanese rock band whose name means 'tears of Christ'… Read Full Bio ↴La'cryma Christi is a Japanese rock band whose name means 'tears of Christ' in (slightly misspelled) Latin. The long term lineup consisted of Taka (Vocals.), Hiro (Guitar), Koji (Guitar), Shuse (Bass) and Levin (Drums).

The band formed in Osaka under the name STRIPPE-D LADY in 1993. A year later bassist Kita-J left, Shuse joined the band and they changed their name to La'cryma Christi with the release of their first single, Siam's Eye coming soon after. With a unique sound that seemed to have an almost mystic and ethereal feel, the band was able to build up their popularity in Osaka and the rest of Japan. For the next two years the band stuck to playing shows, several of which were sold out, until they released their first mini-album called Warm Snow in early 1996. The Dwellers of a Sandcastle mini-album was released a few months later and contained the same tracks as those on Warm Snow, just re-recorded. With the help of Luna Sea they made their major debut in 1997 and released their first full length album Sculpture of Time.

A year later they released their second full length album called Lhasa which contained their highest ranking single, Mirai Koro which was used as an ending theme for the Nightwalker anime. The band continued to tour and then in 2000 they released their third album, Magic Theatre which was shortly followed by the first Singles Collection. In 2002 the band released &.U, their fifth full length album which contained Jonetsu no Kaze, a song used for a TV show theme.

In 2003 they founded their own label under Sweet Child, called Majestic Ring and returned to being an indies band. Shortly after, they released their sixth full length album called Deep Space Syndicate which was in some ways a complete departure from their previous albums, but in other ways it reflected back on their earlier works. 2004 marked the ten year anniversary of the band and a greatest hits album was released to help commemorate the event. The anniversary itself was spread out over three days with three lives to showcase the evolution of the band and to celebrate making it ten years with a solid lineup.

in February of 2005 the band announced that Koji would be leaving in March but the band would stay together. While Koji went to join ALvino with Jun of Pierrot, La'cryma Christi put out their seventh album called ZEUS. The album was a dramatic change for the band with songs that were very reminiscent of metal bands from the 70's and 80's.

Their last album, Where the Earth is Rotting Away, was released in September 2006 along with the news that the band would be disbanding due to musical differences. Their final show was on January 20th 2007 and since then the members have gone their separate ways and continued to make music. Taka and Hiro have formed Libraian, Shuse formed Samurai Dead City with DUSTAR-3 member Himawari, in addition to becoming a support bassist. Most notably for yasu's solo project, Acid Black Cherry. Levin has also entered the world of support musician, in addition to his own band called The Husky.

Letters
La'cryma Christi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

コルクでフタした瓶が浮いている
海沿いの道をドライブしていた
伝えたい想いだけこの胸の中まで
突き刺さる
滑らかにしみ込んでゆく
左手に誰かとの約束の指輪が
照らしてるはばまれる君との仲を
でも僕は君が好きさ

投げ入れた会話とても穏やかで
涙の香りはほほを伝うだろう
「過ちを犯してる?」
君は迷いはじめ
ひざ抱え座り込むシートの上で
この蝶を捕まえて燐粉で描いた
愛の文字示される君の背中に
la la la la la la
Don't you know? I love you so.
I only stay with you
now and forever
君の顔にはまだ迷いが見えるけど
そんな夜は僕の影の中で踊ろう

「過ちを犯してる?」
君は迷いはじめ
ひざ抱え座り込むシートの上で
この蝶を捕まえて燐粉で描いた
愛の文字示される君の背中に

さあ今夜
僕の影と波の音に抱かれ眠ろうよ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of La'cryma Christi's "Letters" depict a drive along the beach where the singer is carrying feelings he wishes to convey to someone. He describes a floating bottle with a cork as smooth emotions flow through his chest, and on his left hand, there is a ring representing a promise he made to someone. Despite feeling conflicted with this person, he admits to loving them. The conversation they previously had was peaceful and conveyed a sense of sorrow, and it seems the person he is in love with is struggling with something. The singer then paints a butterfly with phosphorus on the back of this person, and the butterfly represents the love between them. The lyrics end with an invitation for the person to dance with the singer in the shadows of the night.

The lyrics can be interpreted in various ways, but the central theme is the complexity of human relationships. The singer expresses their love for someone who appears to be hesitant about their relationship. Using symbolism like the floating bottle and phosphorus butterfly to represent their emotions, the singer paints the image of being deeply in love with someone.

Line by Line Meaning

コルクでフタした瓶が浮いている
A cork-stoppered bottle is floating

海沿いの道をドライブしていた
We were driving along the coast

伝えたい想いだけこの胸の中まで
The desire to convey my feelings is trapped in my heart

突き刺さる
It stabs me

滑らかにしみ込んでゆく
Smoothly sinks in

左手に誰かとの約束の指輪が
There's a promise ring on my left hand

照らしてるはばまれる君との仲を
It illuminates the relationship between you and me

でも僕は君が好きさ
But I still love you

投げ入れた会話とても穏やかで
The conversation thrown at me is very peaceful

涙の香りはほほを伝うだろう
The scent of tears will pass on cheeks

「過ちを犯してる?」
"Have you made a mistake?"