Ghost Lachryma Meaning and Review

A Sinister Tear: First Impressions of Ghost's "Lachryma"

This latest single from Ghost immediately distinguishes itself with a notably spacious opening, a deliberate pause before the sonic onslaught. Unlike its predecessor, "Lachryma" doesn't ease the listener in; instead, it allows a sense of foreboding to build before the distorted guitars crash down, establishing a distinctly sinister tone. This heavier, more aggressive weight hints at a deeper, perhaps darker, emotional landscape that the band is exploring, promising an intriguing shift in their sonic narrative.

Tears of the Past: Thematic Undertones and Lyrical Grief

The title itself, "Lachryma," derived from Medieval Latin for "tear," immediately signals a theme of sorrow and melancholy. This is further amplified by the potential allusions to the "Lacrimosa" from both the Catholic Requiem Mass and Mozart's renowned movement, evoking centuries of artistic expression surrounding grief and lamentation. The lyrical content of the verses vividly portrays emotional devastation. Lines like "Ripping through every poem / Like a vampire should" and the lament of a relationship soured in "Now that sweet's gone sour / Seeping down the cracks" paint a stark picture of heartbreak and decay.

Trapped in Nightmares: Building Tension and the Chorus of Release

The pre-chorus intensifies the feeling of being ensnared by anguish, the repeated lines "In the middle of the night, it feeds / In the middle of the night, it eats you" creating a palpable sense of inescapable torment. This mounting tension culminates in the chorus, which serves as a powerful declaration of liberation. The repeated assertion, "I'm done crying over someone like you," marks a turning point, a resolute move away from sorrow towards self-emancipation. The added line, "I hope you're feeling it too, now," injects a raw edge of lingering bitterness and a desire for reciprocal pain.

Sonic Landscapes of Sorrow and Resolution

Musically, "Lachryma" demonstrates Ghost's adeptness at weaving their theatrical flair with heavier, more aggressive sonic textures. The distorted guitars provide a robust foundation for the track's emotional intensity, while the initial spaciousness and the subsequent guitar solo offer compelling dynamic shifts. The lyrical repetition, particularly within the chorus, reinforces the central theme of overcoming heartbreak. The subtle variations in the delivery of the "crying" refrain throughout the song add layers of emotional depth to the narrative of moving beyond sorrow.

A Resonant Departure: Looking Towards the Horizon

"Lachryma" stands as a compelling and emotionally resonant offering from Ghost. It successfully carves out a darker and more aggressive sonic territory while retaining the band's signature theatricality. The lyrical exploration of heartbreak and the resolute declaration of moving forward, intertwined with musical echoes of historical sorrow, create a potent and memorable listening experience. This single hints at a potentially heavier and more emotionally charged direction for Ghost, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next chapter.

Listen to Ghost Lachryma 

Ghost Lachryma Lyrics Meaning Explained 

The meaning of "Lachryma" by Ghost appears to be a potent declaration of liberation from a source of significant sorrow and oppression, moving from a state of mourning to one of resolute finality and the desire for something new. The lyrics weave together themes of rejecting established norms, confronting a pervasive and consuming influence, and ultimately finding the strength to cease suffering and seek a different path. This emotional journey is underscored by vivid imagery of darkness, decay, and a decisive break from the past.

Rejecting Sacred Texts and Shared Understanding

The opening lines of "Lachryma," "Ripping through every poem / Like a vampire should," immediately establish a tone of forceful rejection. The "poem" can be interpreted as representing sacred texts, potentially even the biblical Psalms, which aligns with Ghost's history of referencing religious themes in their album titles. The act of a "vampire" ripping through these texts suggests a desecration or a deliberate act of turning away from established doctrines. The subsequent line, "And it takes one to know 'em / Like I knew you would," implies a shared understanding between the speaker and the listener, suggesting that those who recognize this rejection may share a similar perspective or perhaps a history with the subject being dismissed.

Ensnared by Darkness: The Weight of Oppression

The pre-chorus, with its haunting imagery of "In the middle of the night, it feeds / In the middle of the night, it eats you," evokes a sense of a consuming and sinister force operating in darkness. This could symbolize the insidious nature of doubt, the erosion of faith, or the oppressive influence of whatever is being rejected. The lines "Everybody knows, everywhere I go / I can never run and I cannot hide" speak to a feeling of being constantly under scrutiny or the pervasive influence of a dominant entity, making escape seem futile.

The Declaration of Release: No More Tears

The chorus serves as a powerful declaration of liberation: "I'm done crying over someone like you / I'm done crying, I hope you're feeling it too, now / I'm done." The act of ceasing to cry directly relates to the song's title, "Lachryma," meaning tear. This signifies a conscious decision to end mourning or suffering caused by another. The added sentiment, "I hope you're feeling it too, now," introduces a layer of vindication or a desire for the other party to experience similar regret.

The Lingering Decay: A Relationship Turned Sour

The second verse continues the theme of decay and negativity with "Crying, crying / Now that sweet's gone sour / Seeping down the cracks / Mm, getting worse by the hour / The vile rot attacks, oh." This imagery paints a picture of something once positive that has deteriorated and become corrupted, spreading its influence and intensifying over time. The repetition of "crying" emphasizes the past sorrow that is now being actively left behind.

Embracing the New: A Future Without Sorrow

The final chorus reiterates the resolute decision to move on: "I'm done crying over someone like you / I'm done crying, I hope you're feeling it too, now / I'm done crying (crying) over someone like you / I'm done crying (crying), I need somebody new now / I'm done." The parenthetical "crying" could represent a lingering echo of past pain. The significant addition of "I need somebody new now" signifies a clear step towards seeking change and finding solace elsewhere, marking a complete break and a desire for a fresh start.

[Verse 1]

Ripping through every poem

Like a vampire should

And it takes one to know 'em

Like I knew you would

[Pre-Chorus]

In the middle of the night, it feeds

In the middle of the night, it eats you

Everybody knows, everywhere I go

I can never run and I cannot hide

[Chorus]

I'm done crying over someone like you

I'm done crying, I hope you're feeling it too, now

I'm done

[Verse 2]

Crying, crying

Now that sweet's gone sour

Seeping down the cracks

Mm, getting worse by the hour

The vile rot attacks, oh

[Pre-Chorus]

In the middle of the night, it feeds

In the middle of the night, it eats you

Everybody knows, everywhere I go

I can never run and I cannot hide

[Chorus]

I'm done crying over someone like you

I'm done crying, I hope you're feeling it too, now

I'm done

Crying, crying

[Guitar Solo]

[Pre-Chorus]

Everybody knows, everywhere I go

And I cannot wait until the day

[Chorus]

I'm done crying over someone like you

I'm done crying, I hope you're feeling it too, now

I'm done crying (crying) over someone like you

I'm done crying (crying), I need somebody new now

I'm done