Cinderland

Thief's song 'Cinderland' delves into themes of despair, self-destruction, and existential reflection. The opening lines, 'Farewell pale repents / Farewell lone torment,' suggest a departure from a state of regret and suffering. The imagery of poisoning the pool in the lion's den and tearing from the womb the born again evokes a sense of irreversible damage and a break from redemption or rebirth. The protagonist finds their name, which 'rhymes with dead,' indicating a deep connection with mortality and perhaps a loss of identity or purpose.

The chorus, 'Welcome back, my priest / Welcome night unleashed,' introduces a figure of authority or guidance, possibly representing a return to darkness or a state of spiritual desolation. The 'Cinderland' is depicted as a barren, lifeless place where 'nothing grows and nothing stands,' symbolizing a landscape of ruin and hopelessness. This setting reflects the internal state of the protagonist, who is grappling with feelings of emptiness and futility.

The repetition of 'I found my name / And it rhymes with dead' reinforces the theme of death and the protagonist's identification with it. The line 'There is no abyss / Only thoughts about it' suggests that the true void lies within the mind, rather than in an external chasm. The repeated phrase 'Killed it or something' implies a sense of confusion and unresolved guilt, as the protagonist struggles to understand their actions and their consequences. The final line, 'You know I wanted to,' hints at a desire for release or escape, further emphasizing the song's themes of despair and existential crisis.