Terminus
Ofln - Dark Tranquillity Lyrics
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Lit up by shining faces that parade these streets
What used to be of humility is gone
You walk the mounds of skull and bones
Where living is denied, I see more movement in decomposition than in those hollow eyes
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
Set flame to the ensnarers and pierce that ornate shield
Branded by what claims you, you wear the mark of death
Tear from loss and agony, a character defined
Stripped of all but tragedy, what life is left to find?
Go now, until there's nothing left
Go now, the dying has begun
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
So I flee from all that is me to hide behind this pale dead face
Whatever happened to desire, want and need?
Whatever happened to integrity?
Imagination is a curse in all of this
Whatever happened to the ones left behind?
This is a ghost town, bodies dragged through endless streets
Go now, to never return
I've seen more pitiful humiliation than you could never hide
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
The lyrics of "Terminus" by Dark Tranquillity paint a vivid picture of a desolate and somber landscape, described as a ghost town haunted by the memories of past failures and dashed hopes. The setting is portrayed as a place devoid of humility, where the remnants of the deceased outnumber the living. The imagery of walking among mounds of skull and bones symbolizes a sense of lifelessness and futility, with more movement observed in decay than in the vacant eyes of the inhabitants.
The theme of death permeates the song, with the haunting refrain that in this forsaken place, death is paradoxically the most present and potent force. The juxtaposition of truth and deception further emphasizes the idea that in a world where realities are twisted and obscured, death reigns supreme. The call to "set flame to the ensnarers and pierce that ornate shield" suggests a desire to break free from the constraints and illusions that bind us, embracing the harsh truth of mortality and suffering.
The singer grapples with questions of identity and purpose, seeking solace in anonymity behind a mask of death. The longing for lost desires, needs, and integrity hints at a profound sense of disillusionment and alienation. The mention of imagination as a curse underscores the suffocating effect of despair and hopelessness, as the singer reflects on the fate of those left behind in the desolate ghost town.
The final verses evoke a sense of finality and resignation, as the singer bids farewell to the decaying world and the pitiful remnants of humanity. The repeated acknowledgment that in this place, death is most alive serves as a chilling reminder of the inescapable nature of mortality and decay. The song's haunting imagery and introspective lyrics invite listeners to contemplate the fragility of existence and the inevitability of facing one's demons in the shadows of a ghost town.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anders Jivarp, Martin Brandstrom, Martin Henriksson, Mikael Niklasson, Mikael Bengt Stanne, Niklas Bo Sundin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind