IV
Ossaert Lyrics

The lyrics to Ossaert's song IV explore themes of mortality, transformation, and finding solace in emptiness. The opening lines, "Stof zijn wij en tot stof zullen wij/Wederkeren" (We are dust and to dust we shall return), reflect the fleeting nature of human existence. It acknowledges the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life.

The following lines, "Mijn karkas reeds ontbindend/Samenvloeiend met de aard" (My carcass already decomposing/Merging with the earth), describe the physical decay and dissolution of the body after death. This imagery emphasizes the transient nature of the physical self and the integration of one's being with the natural world.

The next stanza delves into a sense of emptiness and solitude: "De leegte omarmt mij/Verwelkomt mijn ziel/Er is niemand/Er is niets/Het is volbracht" (Emptiness embraces me/Welcomes my soul/There is no one/There is nothing/It is accomplished). Here, the emptiness is portrayed as a welcoming and comforting state, devoid of any external distractions or burdens. It suggests a sense of liberation and fulfillment in the absence of worldly attachments or desires.

The lines "Vrijgezet van het vruchteloos bestaan/Glimlach en zie mijn beenderen vergaan/Ik vervolg mijn weg, mijn allerlaatste reis/Er is niets, er is niemand, in het zwarte paradijs" (Released from the futile existence/Smile and watch my bones decay/I continue my path, my final journey/There is nothing, there is no one, in the black paradise) further emphasize the liberation from the struggles and futility of worldly existence. The concept of a "black paradise" suggests a realm that is devoid of life and human presence, where there is no one and nothing to distract or hinder the peaceful journey.

The inclusion of the biblical passage from Romans 15:33, "En de God des vredes zij met u allen. Amen." (And the God of peace be with you all. Amen.), adds a religious dimension to the lyrics. It serves as a concluding affirmation, highlighting the sense of peace and completion that the singer finds in embracing emptiness and departing from the material world.

Overall, the lyrics of Ossaert's song IV convey a contemplative and introspective exploration of mortality, transformation, and the solace found in embracing emptiness. It presents a perspective that seeks freedom from the limitations and endless pursuits of human existence, finding fulfillment in the acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death.