Founded by Creager in 1992, they have long held true to their mission of enlightening the common man as to the power and versatility of the mighty cello. Historically influenced, and constantly costumed, Rasputina keeps a small legion of incredibly passionate admirers enthralled with their earnest musicianship. Considered to be quite a pioneer and visionary, Melora and her group have inspired countless young people to pick up the cello, and have re-inspired many uninspired string players. Rasputina considers this to be the finest payment for their work.
Professional involvements have included Nirvana, Ultra Vivid Scene, Marilyn Manson, Porno For Pyros, Belle and Sebastian,and Cheap Trick.
Former Members of Rasputina:
Julia Kent (89-99)
Kris Cowperthwaite (00-02)
Zoë Keating (02-06)
Sarah Bowman (06-08)
Jonathon TeBeest (00-08)
The Herb Girls of Birkenau
Rasputina Lyrics
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With berries in aprons, I see them still
See black empty eyes staring, no hair, yet ahead
There's no dignity there, they're not living, not dead
Swayback, and ripchord and parachute face
Were pulled from the water and put in a place
I've not been to, but what you'll find
It's not like they mattered
Who sucked out your spirit?
Listen how we shout at them
They can't hear it
It's not fair
And it seems impossible
That it happened at all
That there were people who saw
The herb girls of birkenau
The herb girls of birkenau walk by on a hill
With berries in aprons, I still see them still
It's not fair
And it seems impossible
That it happened at all
That there were people who saw
The herb girls
But what's fair?
Anything is possible
But can you understand that there were
People who saw the herb girls?
It's not fair
And it seems impossible
That it happened at all
That there were people who saw
The herb girls of birkenau
The Herb Girls of Birkenau by Rasputina is a haunting song that reflects on the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The lyrics describe the "experiment victims" who are forced to walk by with berries in their aprons, only to be met with "black empty eyes" and a lack of dignity, as they are neither living nor dead. The song takes its title from the herb girls, who were prisoners forced to work in Birkenau's herb collection – often seen as a sought-after job due to the slight relief it brought from the horrors of the camps. The herb girls are symbolic of the many victims of the Holocaust who were stripped of their humanity and reduced to mere machinery in the eyes of the Nazi regime.
The song seems to lament the fact that these atrocities happened at all and that people had to witness them. The singer questions whether it's fair and possible to comprehend the horrors these people suffered. The final lines suggest that anything – even the most horrific acts of evil – is possible and that we should acknowledge that they happened, and people saw them.
The song's somber melody reflects the seriousness of the subject matter, and the vocals are layered with cello and violin, creating a mournful, ethereal soundscape. The abstract lyrics are left open to interpretation, allowing each listener to form their own understanding of the song's meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Experiment victims walk by on a hill
People used for experiments walked by a hill
With berries in aprons, I see them still
I still remember seeing them carrying berries in their aprons
See black empty eyes staring, no hair, yet ahead
Their eyes were black and empty, their heads shaved and looking forward
There's no dignity there, they're not living, not dead
They were robbed of their dignity, neither alive nor truly dead
Swayback, and ripchord and parachute face
Nicknames given to people who survived being pulled from water
Were pulled from the water and put in a place
Survivors were taken from the water and put in a specific location
I've not been to, but what you'll find
I have not been to this place, but what you'll see
Is the kommandment hoarding the vegetable rinds
The commandant in charge keeping scraps of vegetables
It's not like they mattered
The victims were not treated as if they were important or mattered
Who sucked out your spirit?
Who took away the victims' will to live?
Listen how we shout at them, they can't hear it
We shout at the victims but they cannot hear us
The herb girls of birkenau walk by on a hill
The girls who picked herbs in Birkenau walked by a hill
It's not fair
It is unjust
And it seems impossible
It is hard to believe
That it happened at all
That such a thing occurred
That there were people who saw
That there were witnesses
The herb girls of birkenau
The girls who picked herbs in Birkenau
But what's fair?
What is actually just?
Anything is possible
Anything can happen
But can you understand that there were
Can you comprehend that there existed
People who saw the herb girls?
Witnesses to the girls who picked herbs in Birkenau?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELORA "RASPUTINA" CREAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind