Pray

Soap&Skin's song 'Pray' delves into the profound and often unsettling themes of existential dread and the human condition. The lyrics open with a stark declaration of 'constantly announcing hell,' setting a tone of perpetual despair and inner turmoil. This line suggests a life overshadowed by the anticipation of suffering, where the 'joy not to be' hints at a longing for non-existence as a form of escape from the pain of living. The phrase 'to die of not dying' encapsulates the paradox of enduring life when death seems like a release, yet remains unattainable.

The song's narrator grapples with their relationship with death, describing themselves as 'death's best friend.' This personification of death as a companion underscores a deep familiarity with the concept, perhaps indicating a life marked by loss, depression, or a constant awareness of mortality. The repeated line 'condemned to choke every word I pray' conveys a sense of futility and suffocation, as if the act of praying or seeking solace is stifled and rendered ineffective.

The closing lines introduce a figure who 'came and read the current and the gas,' performing mundane tasks with a politeness that contrasts sharply with the narrator's existential crisis. This juxtaposition highlights the disconnection between everyday life and the narrator's internal struggle. The figure's lack of 'being well versed in life' suggests a naivety or detachment from the deeper, darker aspects of existence that the narrator is acutely aware of. This haunting portrayal of life's banalities against a backdrop of profound despair creates a poignant commentary on the human experience.