Black Lullaby

Marc Almond's 'Black Lullaby' is a haunting and evocative exploration of the darker aspects of spirituality and human emotion. The song's lyrics are rich with references to angelic and demonic figures, creating a vivid tapestry of celestial and infernal imagery. The repeated invocation of 'cherubim' and 'black seraphim' suggests a duality between light and dark, innocence and corruption. These figures attend the 'head of horns,' a likely reference to a demonic or fallen angelic figure, emphasizing the song's exploration of forbidden and shadowy realms.

The lyrics also delve into themes of temptation and fear. The 'drinker of sweet absinthe' and 'thief among the thorns' evoke images of indulgence and sin, while the 'keeper of the secret keys' hints at hidden knowledge and the quest for understanding. The repeated plea for 'God's beautiful love angels' to come in sleep and act as secret lovers introduces a complex interplay between desire and dread. The angels' actions—making the narrator 'wilt and weep,' 'encircle all my tears,' and 'make me sweat from frozen fears'—highlight the torment and ecstasy intertwined in these nocturnal visitations.

The song's references to figures like Belial, the 'prince of the power of the air,' and the 'first angel who sinned' further underscore its exploration of rebellion and fall from grace. The closing lines, 'By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes,' borrowed from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' and 'God is not dead nor doth he weep,' add a layer of foreboding and existential reflection. The repeated lament, 'Oh, how art thou falling / Angel of the morning,' serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and complexity of the human condition, caught between divine aspirations and earthly failings.