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.
Helvetia Sexualis
Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
is a game for scholars
So: it was sheer necessity
nothing but chance that
for reasons hidden to the world
has led the two soul here
Made them equal like dog and owner
annoyed but neutral spend the night
beneath two blankets ...side by side
It makes no difference to explain
How it all came to this
'cause what if is a game for scholars
approve and seal it with a kiss!
Quickly erasing your lust, all we inspire is disgust.
But then, of course, you can never be sure.
and that's the ghost that's haunting you !!!
Familiar causes made me shiver
mainly with chill this foetus coiled
Apologies did only soothe his anger
but explanations could not avoid
him windown down the ancient form
the spell of insecurity
that liturgy which cruelly pointed out
the difference between him and me
I can't be bothered to explain
how it all comes to this
because all causes are "familiar"
accept, and seal it with a kiss
The larch, and not the morning-cock
beheld two spoons our cook had graced
and as our hero woke, he found
his left arm still around my waist
he rose, and I, the ugly child
born of the shadow sphere
allowed my th oughts to briefly travel
to a world ..... to far from here
where it's the cock that greets the morning
and piles have meanings unlike their faces here ... -
but what if is a game for scholars not, baby.
so try your best now to hide the tears
He said, as he walked to the bathroom:
"I am not at all like you !!!"
"Well I don't have the slightest idea
what you could possibly be referring to.
But rest assure, man, because whatever
this most dreadful thing might be
be sure that our difference is more than obvious
to the world outside ... and me!"
Quickly erasing your lust, all we inspire is disgust
But then, of course, you can never be sure
and that's the face that's frightening you !!!
I can't be bothered to explain, how it all came to this,
'cause what if is a game for scholars
and it's called:
HELVETIA SEXUALIS
The lyrics of Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows's song "Helvetia Sexualis" are enigmatic and obscure, as is typical of the band's musical style. At its core, the song appears to be about the meeting of two very different people who are forced to share a bed for the night. The first verse describes how chance has brought them together, and they spend the night "annoyed but neutral" under two blankets. However, the singer insists that the reasons for their meeting are hidden and may never be fully understood. The chorus of the song suggests that the idea of "what if" is simply a game for scholars and that it is unimportant to dwell on the reasons for their encounter.
The second verse of the song becomes even more cryptic, describing how the singer made someone angry and failed to explain the reasons behind their actions. The final verse of the song shifts focus to the morning after, describing how the two individuals wake up and go their separate ways without fully understanding one another. Throughout the song, there are indications that the encounter was sexual in nature but was lacking in any emotional connection or understanding.
Overall, the lyrics of "Helvetia Sexualis" explore themes of chance encounters, misunderstandings, and the limitations of human connection. The song suggests that even when people are forced to spend time together, they may never truly understand one another.
Line by Line Meaning
What is
unknown circumstances have led to the current situation
is a game for scholars
delving into the reasons behind the situation is an intellectual exercise
So: it was sheer necessity
there was no other option
nothing but chance that
randomness played a role
for reasons hidden to the world
the cause is unknown
has led the two soul here
they have ended up in this place
Made them equal like dog and owner
they are of different status, but in this case, equals
annoyed but neutral spend the night
they slept in the same bed without much interaction
sharing the same bed they did slumber
they slept side by side
beneath two blankets ...side by side
they shared the same covers
It makes no difference to explain
the reason is not important
How it all came to this
trying to understand the cause is futile
'cause what if is a game for scholars
questioning the reason is an intellectual pursuit
approve and seal it with a kiss!
accept it and move on
Quickly erasing your lust, all we inspire is disgust.
we are not interested in your sexual attraction
But then, of course, you can never be sure.
uncertainty is always a possibility
and that's the ghost that's haunting you !!!
the fear of the unknown is affecting you
Familiar causes made me shiver
the reason is a common one
mainly with chill this foetus coiled
there is a sense of discomfort
Apologies did only soothe his anger
saying sorry had no real effect
but explanations could not avoid
attempting to explain was not helpful
him windown down the ancient form
he lowered his guard
the spell of insecurity
the sense of fear and uncertainty
that liturgy which cruelly pointed out
the constant reminder of their difference in status was hurtful
the difference between him and me
the contrast in their status
because all causes are "familiar"
the reason is not unique
accept, and seal it with a kiss
just accept it and move forward
The larch, and not the morning-cock
nature, not man, is the observer in this context
beheld two spoons our cook had graced
the utensils on their table were noticed
and as our hero woke, he found
upon awakening, he realized
his left arm still around my waist
he was still holding on to the other person
he rose, and I, the ugly child
he got up and saw the other person
born of the shadow sphere
the other person is mysterious and elusive
allowed my thoughts to briefly travel
reflected on the situation
to a world ..... to far from here
to a different reality
where it's the cock that greets the morning
in a place where nature rules
and piles have meanings unlike their faces here ... -
meaning is found in different places than it is here
so try your best now to hide the tears
don't let the emotions show
He said, as he walked to the bathroom:
he spoke as he moved away
"I am not at all like you !!!"
he emphasized their differences
"Well I don't have the slightest idea
the other person didn't understand
what you could possibly be referring to.
unsure of the other person's meaning
But rest assure, man, because whatever
despite the lack of understanding
this most dreadful thing might be
no matter what the situation
be sure that our difference is more than obvious
the difference is clear to everyone
to the world outside ... and me!"
even to the other person
and that's the face that's frightening you !!!
the fear of difference is haunting you
and it's called:
the situation is titled:
HELVETIA SEXUALIS
the situation is one of sexual tension or taboo
Contributed by Vivian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.