The Lantern

The Rolling Stones' song 'The Lantern' delves into themes of death, the afterlife, and the enduring connection between souls. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a spiritual journey, where the 'Lantern' serves as a metaphor for guidance and hope in the face of mortality. The song opens with an acknowledgment of the inevitability of death, suggesting that those who pass on first will leave signs for the living, symbolized by the 'Lantern lights.' This imagery evokes a sense of comfort and continuity, implying that death is not an end but a transition to another state of being.

The second verse describes a soul crossing the 'sea of night,' free from fear and cloaked in a 'spirit shroud.' This ethereal imagery suggests a peaceful passage to the afterlife, where the departed can still communicate with the living. The 'Lantern' here symbolizes a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding the living through their grief and offering a connection to the spiritual realm. The use of phrases like 'wake me in my sleeping hours' and 'like a cloud' further emphasizes the dreamlike, otherworldly nature of this connection.

In the final verse, the song takes on a more personal tone, with the narrator expressing their sorrow and longing for the departed. The imagery of a 'deathly pale' face and the sound of wailing through a veil convey a deep sense of loss and mourning. Yet, the repeated plea to 'carry the Lantern light' underscores the hope that the connection between the living and the dead remains unbroken. The closing lines, 'The servants sleep, The door's are barred. You hear the stopping of my heart-we never part,' reinforce the idea of an eternal bond that transcends physical death, with the 'Lantern' serving as a symbol of this enduring connection.