The Carnival is Over
Journey of Desire: Unveiling the Enigmatic Tale in Dead Can Dance's 'The Carnival is Over'
Lyrics
Outside
Reference to an external location or situation.
The storm clouds gathering,
Indication of an approaching difficulty or turmoil.
Moved silently along the dusty boulevard.
Movement along a dusty street.
Where flowers turning crane their fragile necks
Description of flowers turning toward the sky.
So they can in turn
Continuation of the description of flowers.
Reach up and kiss the sky.
Metaphorical imagery of reaching for the sky.
They are driven by a strange desire
Flowers are driven by an unusual desire.
Unseen by the human eye
Desire is invisible to humans.
Someone is calling.
Sense of a distant call or beckoning.
I remember when you held my hand
Nostalgic recollection of hand-holding.
In the park we would play when the circus came to town.
Recollection of playing in the park during the circus.
Look! Over here.
Command to look or pay attention.
Outside
Reiteration of an external setting.
The circus gathering
Description of the circus's movement in the rain.
Moved silently along the rainswept boulevard.
Continuation of the circus's movement.
The procession moved on the shouting is over
Declaration of the end of the circus event.
The fabulous freaks are leaving town.
Freaks leaving town, marking the end of the spectacle.
They are driven by a strange desire
Similar strange desire driving the departure.
Unseen by the human eye.
Reiteration of the invisibility of desire to humans.
The carinval is over.
Final statement that the carnival or spectacle is over.
We sat and watched
Observation of sitting and watching the events unfold.
As the moon rose again
Reference to the moon rising, symbolizing a new beginning.
For the very first time.
Emphasis on the uniqueness of the moon rising.
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