Dressed in Black
Ulver (2005) Lyrics

The lyrics of Ulver's song "Dressed in Black" are shrouded in mystery and open to interpretation. The opening lines "Is the light of the light / Monumental / Or something?" appear to be a rhetorical question about the nature of enlightenment or higher consciousness. The use of the word "monumental" suggests that the answer is affirmative, but the uncertain tone of the lyrics leaves room for doubt. The following lines, "White on white / Is a vampire / In the mirror / Eternal?" introduce further ambiguity. The image of a vampire in the mirror could symbolize the darkness or inner demons that haunt us even in moments of self-reflection or introspection. The question of eternity adds to the existential undertones of the song, which questions the meaning of life and whether there is any lasting purpose to our existence on this earth.

The chorus of the song, "Like hell / We are / All dressed in black / We dug our own graves / A long time ago," is a powerful statement about our mortality and the inevitability of death. The reference to digging our own graves suggests that we are all responsible for the consequences of our actions and the choices we make in life. The image of being dressed in black is a common metaphor for mourning or darkness, underscoring the bleakness of the human condition. Overall, the song is a haunting meditation on the nature of life, death, and the struggles we face as mortal beings.