Best described as "introverted exhibitionism", the holistic concept of their ritualistic/Jungian art is not necessarily rooted in the grounds of a commonly accepted sense of aesthetics – which is one of the many aspects that gives their work its serious and most unique character. Though their music playfully fuses elements of classical, baroque, medieval, and even electronic music, the essence of Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows always remains entirely "goth".
Despite the fact that to this very day they still refuse to perform live in front of a human audience, Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows have long gathered cult status in underground circles worldwide.
Strongly recommended to be approached only with an open heart and mind, the profound darkness (and occasionally subversive humour) of their multi-layered (yet fragile) art is mainly intended as a spiritual healing-process for the wounded soul.
Abschied
Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows Lyrics
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ein Sehnen verzehret sein schönes
Gesicht,
daß, ermattet, von Güte beschattet, allmächtig ist.
Sein Körper
bewegt sich nicht...-
I'm Traume sich endlich sein Zwingen vergißt.
Den heulenden Jubel erkenne ich nicht,
zerbricht.
Sein schweigender Mund, seine schlafende Brust
harren zärtlich
der süßen Lust.
Sein Körper bewegt sich nicht...-
I'm Traume sich endlich
sein Zwingen vergißt
These lyrics are written in German and translated into English, the song is titled "Abschied" which means "farewell" or "goodbye" in English. The lyrics are speaking about the human body and spirit, and the duality between the two. The singer confesses their connection to the spirit and the longing that consumes the beautiful face, which is tired from being overshadowed by kindness but is also all-powerful. The body is motionless, but the spirit is finally able to forget its restraints in a dream.
The singer doesn't recognize the howling jubilation that breaks their holy peace. The spirit of the subject is represented as having a silent mouth and a sleeping chest that tenderly awaits the sweet pleasure. The body remains still as the spirit finally forgets its constraints in a dream. The lyrics are deeply introspective, and they offer a meditation on the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds. The singer is acknowledging the power and importance of the spirit over the body and highlighting the often-overlooked role of dreams in freeing us from the constraints of the physical world.
Line by Line Meaning
Seinem Geiste bekenne ich mich,
I acknowledge his spirit,
ein Sehnen verzehret sein schönes Gesicht,
His beautiful face is consumed with longing,
daß, ermattet, von Güte beschattet, allmächtig ist.
Exhausted and shaded with kindness, he is omnipotent.
Sein Körper bewegt sich nicht...-
His body does not move
I'm Traume sich endlich sein Zwingen vergißt.
Only in dreams does he forget his restraint.
Den heulenden Jubel erkenne ich nicht,
I do not recognize the howling jubilation
der mir den heiligen Frieden zerbricht.
That breaks my sacred peace.
Sein schweigender Mund, seine schlafende Brust
His silent mouth, his sleeping chest
harren zärtlich der süßen Lust.
Eagerly awaiting sweet pleasure.
Sein Körper bewegt sich nicht...-
His body does not move
I'm Traume sich endlich sein Zwingen vergißt
Only in dreams does he forget his restraint.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hitomi Kajiura
"Seinem Geiste bekenne ich mich,
ein Sehnen verzehret sein schönes Gesicht,
daß, ermattet,
von Güte beschattet, allmächtig ist.
Sein Körper bewegt sich nicht...
- im Traume sich endlich sein Zwingen vergißt.
Den heulenden Jubel erkenne ich nicht,
der mir den heiligen Frieden zerbricht.
Sein schweigender Mund, seine schlafende
Brust harren zärtlich der süßen Lust.
Sein Körper bewegt sich nicht...
- im Traume sich endlich sein Zwingen vergißt."
Mariano Paniagua
Una de las mejores canciones de toda la historia de Anna.
Torsten Stegmann
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