Schwarzer Strand (feat. Faun)

The song 'Schwarzer Strand' by Saltatio Mortis, featuring Faun, delves into themes of departure, eternal rest, and the profound questions surrounding the experience of letting go. The lyrics repeatedly ask, "Sag mir wie es ist" (Tell me how it is), seeking understanding about the transition from life to an eternal state, symbolized by the imagery of flowing with the waves forever. This recurring question highlights a deep curiosity and perhaps anxiety about the unknown that follows life's end.

The narrative of the song is set against a somber backdrop, a black beach, which serves as a metaphor for the final threshold between the known world and the vast, unexplored expanse of eternity. The protagonist stands at a harbor, watching a ship approach, holding a bundle of their most precious possessions, signifying the things they hold dear as they prepare to depart. This act of holding onto a bundle suggests a reluctance or the difficulty of letting go of earthly attachments.

As the song progresses, the imagery of turning into a handful of ash blowing in the wind further intensifies the theme of impermanence and transformation. The protagonist's final steps into the sea, leaving behind the 'burnt land' and the 'black beach,' symbolize a complete departure from life and a surrender to the natural forces, embracing the eternal flow. This poignant visualization invites listeners to reflect on their own perceptions of life, death, and what may lie beyond the horizon of human existence.