Children Of The Corn

Sopor Aeternus, known for their dark and gothic musical style, delves deep into the human psyche with 'Children Of The Corn.' The song paints a bleak picture of human existence, emphasizing the absence of beauty in the physical realm. The lyrics open with a stark declaration that human flesh harbors only sadness, confusion, and the stench of death. This sets the tone for a journey through a landscape of despair and existential dread.

The song explores the mind as both a labyrinth and a tomb, a place where ghosts of thoughts and ideas reside. These ideas, untouched by the decay of the physical world, are deemed sacred and immortal. This contrast between the decaying physical world and the untarnished realm of the mind highlights the artist's view that true beauty and truth can only be found within the mind. The imagery of 'flip-books of a lonely child' and 'old silent movies' evokes a sense of nostalgia and lost innocence, further emphasizing the theme of inner turmoil and longing for something beyond the tangible world.

The chorus questions the nature of dreams and reality, pondering whether the idealized figures in our minds can ever truly cross over into our waking lives. The song concludes with a somber reflection on the nature of reality, describing it as a 'crippled whore' and asserting that all mortal things are inherently flawed. The mind, however, is portrayed as a 'frail, but kingly jewel' capable of creating beauty, love, and truth. The final verses suggest that the only escape from the harshness of reality is to retreat into the realm of fantasy, where love and immortality can be found. This dark yet poetic exploration of the human condition invites listeners to reflect on the nature of existence and the power of the mind to transcend physical limitations.