Song meaning of A Pale Shroud of Longing by My Dying Bride

The lyrics of "A Pale Shroud of Longing" by My Dying Bride evoke a sense of melancholy and longing. The song presents a complex and emotional portrayal of a relationship filled with both love and pain.

The lyrics depict the narrator's deep connection and devotion to the woman they love, symbolized by the act of tenderly holding her and protecting her. However, the relationship seems troubled, as emphasized by phrases like "the sullen coast of her heart" and "the menace of her island." The narrator acknowledges their own unkindness but expresses gratitude that their lover continues to try.

The imagery of broken hearts and shadows suggests a sense of brokenness and darkness within the relationship. The woman's body is described as a belief, indicating that the narrator finds solace and purpose in their love. However, the presence of a "serpent" and the releasing of the ocean's scales imply a destructive force that lurks beneath the surface.

The line "She took me, to cast asunder" suggests that the woman uses the narrator to escape her own fears and anxieties. It seems that her love for the narrator is stronger when they are apart, creating a paradoxical longing.

The final lines, "The growing blindness of my soul, sinking under," convey a sense of despair and the narrator's gradual loss of hope. The song's title, "A Pale Shroud of Longing," reflects the overarching theme of longing and the suffocating weight of longing for a love that may be damaged or unfulfilled.

Overall, the lyrics portray a complex and tumultuous relationship, highlighting the simultaneous beauty and pain of love and the innate human longing for connection.