Ophelia
The Shroud Lyrics


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Blossoms floating on the face of the lake Marks the watery grave Of the fair Ophelia...

Currents moving motes that fly between the light Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on and on...

Soundless flowers falling to the rippling lake Covering the evidence Of the fair Ophelia...

Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet Sinking down and singing on and on...
Ripples washing on the sand of the shore Echoing the silent sigh Of the fair Ophelia...





Currents moving motes that fly between the light Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet Sinking down and singing on and on...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Shroud's song "Ophelia" paint a hauntingly beautiful picture of the tragic character from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The first two verses describe her watery grave in vivid detail, with blossom petals floating on the surface of the lake marking the spot where she drowned. The currents and motes of light that dance above the water's surface provide a surreal backdrop to the scene, as if something magical was happening.


The third verse speaks of the aftermath of Ophelia's death, with the flowers that she once wore in her hair now falling silently into the water, covering any evidence of what happened. The fourth verse explores the eeriness of the water, with whirlpools and roots weighing down Ophelia's limbs as she sinks deeper and deeper. The final verse brings the song full circle, with ripples on the shore echoing the sigh of the fair Ophelia. Through it all, the image of floating blossoms and current-driven motes suggests that there is more going on beneath the surface, something spiritual or otherworldly.


The song's lyrics capture the beauty and tragedy of Ophelia's death in Shakespeare's play, but they also stand on their own as a haunting elegy to the power of nature and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. Through the use of vivid imagery and poetic language, The Shroud invites the listener to contemplate the meaning of life, death, and what lies beyond.


Line by Line Meaning

Blossoms floating on the face of the lake Marks the watery grave Of the fair Ophelia...
Flowers gently floating on the clear lake surface represent the place where the beautiful Ophelia met her tragic end...


Currents moving motes that fly between the light Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on and on...
Water currents swirling with small shining particles moving in rhythm to the heavenly chorus, continuously flowing...


Soundless flowers falling to the rippling lake Covering the evidence Of the fair Ophelia...
Silent petals slowly dropping into the moving water concealing the traces of the lovely Ophelia...


Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet Sinking down and singing on and on...
Noises and vibrations of swirling eddies affecting ghostly branches of white, making soft velvet-like bodies submerge and continue chanting...


Ripples washing on the sand of the shore Echoing the silent sigh Of the fair Ophelia...
Waves gently reaching the sandy beach, echoing the sound of a deceased Ophelia's last breath...


Currents moving motes that fly between the light Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet Sinking down and singing on and on...
Water streams carrying sparkling specks moving to celestial voices, loudly racing forward. Also, circular movements in the water created by the music depressing delicate ghostly bodies and keeping them singing forever...




Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mushykat

Blossoms floating on the face of the lake 
Marks the watery grave of the fair Ophelia... 

Currents moving motes that fly between the light 
Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on and on... 

Soundless flowers falling to the rippling lake 
Covering the evidence Of the fair Ophelia... 

Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet 
Sinking down and singing on and on... 

Ripples washing on the sand of the shore 
Echoing the silent sigh Of the fair Ophelia... 
Currents moving motes that fly between the light 
Dancing to the sound of angels 
Singing aloud and rushing on 
Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white 
Weighing down limbs in velvet 
Sinking down and singing on and on...



All comments from YouTube:

@satarnag

Lydia has such a beautiful voice. I used to play her CDs at night just so that I can go to sleep. I also ran into her a few times when she was working at Hot Topic in Fresno. She was very pleasant person and very down to Earth. I hope she is doing well.

@shadow27b

I still remember my friend turning me onto The Shroud and Requiem in White back in '92. If I got nothing ese out of college I got that. Great video thanks for sharing.

@mushykat

Blossoms floating on the face of the lake 
Marks the watery grave of the fair Ophelia... 

Currents moving motes that fly between the light 
Dancing to the sound of angels Singing aloud and rushing on and on... 

Soundless flowers falling to the rippling lake 
Covering the evidence Of the fair Ophelia... 

Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white Weighing down limbs in velvet 
Sinking down and singing on and on... 

Ripples washing on the sand of the shore 
Echoing the silent sigh Of the fair Ophelia... 
Currents moving motes that fly between the light 
Dancing to the sound of angels 
Singing aloud and rushing on 
Humming ringing whirlpools moving roots of white 
Weighing down limbs in velvet 
Sinking down and singing on and on...

@Forestmountains1

The Shroud is by far one of my favorite bands. It's ashame how most people don't appreciate music like this, especially nowadays...

@rawnnie

Love this band, her voice is so atmospheric I feel.

@edgarviedma

i hope someone will post a This Ascension video they are as great as The Shroud. Thank you for posting this video.

@LusterOfDarkness

I like this song,gives me the 80's vibe, some good singing and an attractive lead singer. I'm going to listen to more of these guy's stuff,I've never actually heard of their stuff until now,keep them coming.

@AstarothFallen

so goth! so trippy! so beautiful!

@AntiMusick

yes they were called The Shroudettes and there is a video of one of there first performances... but even years before that there is a performance of the singer Lydia doing cover songs of Siouxsie at a HS talent show. I call that group 'Nothing Obscene', If I find that tape I'll try to get it on here.

@CoryTheRaven

*sniff* I miss the 90's...

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