Every 27 Years

Benjamin Wallfisch's 'Every 27 Years' is a hauntingly evocative piece that draws from the traditional English nursery rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons.' The lyrics reference the bells of St. Clement's and St. Martin's, which are part of a longer rhyme that names various churches in London. This nursery rhyme is often associated with a sense of foreboding and has been used in various cultural contexts to evoke a sense of historical continuity and eerie repetition.

The phrase 'Every 27 Years' suggests a cyclical event, something that recurs with a haunting regularity. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for generational trauma or a recurring nightmare that haunts a community or individual. The use of the nursery rhyme, with its innocent yet ominous tone, adds a layer of complexity to this idea. It suggests that the past is never truly gone and that its echoes can be heard in the present, much like the tolling of church bells.

Benjamin Wallfisch is known for his work in film scores, often creating music that enhances the emotional and psychological depth of a scene. In this context, 'Every 27 Years' could be seen as a piece that underscores the themes of memory, time, and the inescapable nature of certain events. The simplicity of the lyrics, combined with the weight of their historical and cultural connotations, makes this song a powerful meditation on the cycles of time and the shadows they cast on our lives.