Persephone’s nightmare
Lyrics (English translation):
Where once pennyroyal and wild mint grew
and the first cyclamen sprang up,
now peasants bargain on cement prise
and birds fall dead in melting furnace
Sleep Persephone
in earth’s embrace,
to this world’s balcony
never come up again
where once the mystics joined their hands
reverently before entering the sanctuary,
now passing tourists throw their cigarette butts
and go to see the new oil refinery
Sleep Persephone
in earth’s embrace,
to this world’s balcony
never come up again
where once the sea was blessed
and flocks and herds bleated joyfully in the fields,
now trucks carry to the shipyards
lifeless bodies, young workers and scrap metal
Sleep Persephone
in earth’s embrace,
to this world’s balcony
never come up again
-In Greek mythology Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, goddess of plant life, harvest and agriculture. Persephone was abducted by Hades, god of the Underworld, who wanted to marry her. It was eventually arranged that Persephone would spend the autumn and winter with Hades and be allowed to return to her mother every spring and summer. This myth was used to explain why no plants grow for six months every year: Demeter mourns for her daughter.
-In the video we see the city of Eleusis and its ancient site. Eleusis was the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone.
-The song is symbolic. This world, as it is, isn’t a place for Persephone to be. This world has become a nightmare. Persephone must remain in the Underworld, spring will never come…