Dirge for November

[splump]

Do you think this is about a funeral? I read it on www.gepr.net
I always thought that there was some sort of connection with "dripping into the pool" and "take me under".. That he is sinking into some kind of pool in the end.. Or maybe im totally way off?

But it is an interesting theory that i havent thought about yet, maybe "take me under" means that they are lowering the coffin into the grave..

But that theory doesnt really have any connection to the other facts in the story..

Would anyone be so kind, and post maybe a theory of what the song is about? Personally i think it is some of the best lyrical work Mr. Akerfeldt ever has done.. Its so poetical, even if im not sure i understand it correct..

 

[crumbling mirth]

i have no idea what mikael is talking about in this one. it sure is cryptic.

the funeral theory seems to have some merit, however.

 

[splump]

Yes it does..
But i always thought it was a man committing suicide.. You know, "this firm slit" referrs to him slitting his own throat or his wrists.. "It sheds upon the floor", the blood spilling on the floor.. But what about this pool? Is it a swimming-pool?
Or maybe some kind of fountain, or maybe even a metaphor for a lake.. And then he steps into the lake and sinks to the bottom.. Man im confused..

 

[crumbling mirth]

perhaps the blood itself creates a pool.

i think you may be spot on with that theory, splump

 

[splump]

Originally posted by crumbling mirth
perhaps the blood itself creates a pool.

i think you may be spot on with that theory, splump

Well, if the blood creates a pool, i think the lyrics are written very stupid..

I mean, "dripping INTO the pool".. Whatever is dripping, it is dripping into THE pool.. I would take that as the pool already existed.. Or else there wouldnt be a pool to shed the blood in..

 

[crumbling mirth]

true. but the lyrics read "dripping into A pool".

and that subtle distinction changes everything

 

[splump]

MAN!
I thought i knew most of the Opeth-lyrics by heart..
I obviously didnt.. I checked the lyrics and was totally baffled..

Well, that puts a totally new view of this matter..

But where does he sink into?

It sheds upon the floor, dripping into a pool <- slitting his wrists
Grant me sleep, take me under <- taking him under, but where to?
Like the wings of a dove, folding around
I fade into this tender care <- ok, so his fading..

Well, IF the theory of a funeral would be true.. Then that is a pretty damn fast funeral.. He slits his wrists, and BAM! He suddenly is being sunken into the ground??

 

[Kushantaiidan]

You guys are taking the lyrics WAY too literally.

 

[crumbling mirth]

too literally? do you think so?
there's a fair bit of symbolism and metaphor involved in deciphering the song as a man's suicide, it seems.
but perhaps you are right.

splump - "take me under" is perhaps a desire on the protaganist's part to be taken into the very depths of sleep. to be taken beyond the superficial surface of sleep and thrust into its very realms.

 

[Dangerblade]

Maybe "take me under" is just a way of saying that somebody is leaving, as in dying..

 

[Soulreaper]

DUH! This song is about a guy commiting suicide !!!

Preparations are done, this can't last - he prepared all the things and he must do it quickly

The mere reflection brought disgust - i think he's looking in the mirror and find himself disgusting

No ordeal to conquer, this firm slit - he's not trying to stop the blood from his wrists

etc etc

Thats what i think at least

 

[JesusChristPose]

this song brings tears to my eyes, Mike's voice is IMO is melodic in its growling. I love this song.

 

[Evisceratrix]

amen. i voted for it as my favorite on one of those crazy polls . ah but its so hard to stick with one song....theyre all so good!

 

[Lina]

woah, i think Hoser will have a slight problem with this thread.

 

[mindflesh]

Originally posted by Lina
woah, i think Hoser will have a slight problem with this thread.

??

 

[_Transparent_]

i just like it, i really like the idea of a funeral portrait in a literal way. its something that would be really emotional, it would be great to film/take pics of the emotion of a real funeral. i mean in a serious way, not some idiot mucking around. i mean think about it, the emotions you see are ones that you may never see again. anyway where was i...oh i havent got a clue about the song, but it makes sense about your theory slump, although that could also be very wrong, only Mikael knows. (and the people hes told)

 

[Lina]

Originally posted by mindflesh
??

I think, if I remember correctly, that both Hoser and I strongly dislike this song. It's so repetitive, very unrepresentative of Opeth in my opinion.

 

[mindflesh]

Oh... sorry but I like it

 

[D Mullholand]

Originally posted by splump
Do you think this is about a funeral? I read it on www.gepr.net

Ho ho ho ! Well, I was the guilty one who write that review on the GEPR.

I don't think the lyrics are about a funeral, but the musical images that appear in my head while listening to that song (the heavy part), are pretty much what I wrote there. I think the painfully slow tempo and repetition work perfectly there. Maybe someday I'll try to describe what I see when I listen to Dirge, but not too soon, because it's getting more and more detailed and interesting with each listen.

I don't think the words in the lyrics have to be the same as the images - they work as complementary for me, otherwise it would be too over-the-top. (?)

D Mullholand

 

[crumbling mirth]

this is probably one of my least preferred opeth tracks. still i can appreciate it for its awesome acoustics and strong lyrical imagery.

this is a fine thread, because it's drawn my attention to an opeth track that i generally pay little attention to.