Desdemona
Untoten Lyrics

The song "Desdemona" by Untoten is a haunting tune that explores themes of darkness, thirst, and the animalistic nature that arises within people at night. The lyrics begin with the line "Das letzte Urteil steht bei Gott allein" which translates to "The last judgment rests with God alone." This line sets the ominous tone for the rest of the song, suggesting that there is an impending reckoning that the singer is aware of. The next few lines describe the thrill of pursuing someone or something in the darkness of night, likening it to the hunt of an owl. The lyrics "Wie durstig wir sind, wenn die Nacht beginnt / Das Herz eines Tieres zu haben" which translates to "How thirsty we are when night begins / To have the heart of an animal" further emphasize the primal urges that emerge within people when night falls.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "As a ghost...as a ghost" multiple times, suggesting that the singer feels like a ghost, detached from the world around them. The line "The man in the mirror / The cat in the roost" is a metaphor for the singer's dual nature, both human and animalistic. The end of the chorus features the line "Concerning my wonderful life," which could be interpreted as either sarcastic or sincere depending on the listener's perspective.

The second verse of the song focuses on the passage of time and the changing of the day to night. The lyrics "Der graue Tag ist längst vergangen / Der silberne Mond im fahlen Licht / Mein Herz scheint im Rhythmus zu schlagen / Hörst du sie...hörst du sie" seem to suggest that the singer's heart beats in time with the moon, further emphasizing their connection to the night and their animalistic nature. The chorus is repeated again at the end of the song, with the line "Lasst mich! Lasst mich!" which translates to "Leave me alone! Leave me alone!" providing a sense of finality to the song.