Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: goth
Song Meaning of “Glistening Black” by Wovenhand
‘Glistening Black’ is a haunting and powerful track from Wovenhand’s album ‘The Laughing Stalk’. The song delves into ideas surrounding the transition between life and death, and the uncertainly of what awaits after we take our final breaths. The opening line ‘Everything’s dust, glistening black’ sets up the concept of life being fleeting, and that no matter what we might achieve in life, it will eventually come to an end.
The lyrics then go on to describe a person travelling away from home to their death, leaving behind all they know and love. ‘On this night, leaving everything behind, to go there, where no one will find.’ The ‘there’ in this song is likely referring to death, as the next line reads ‘I see the beyond, waiting with a starless sky’. This imagery of a lifeless night sky captures the feelings of finality and loss in a powerful way.
The chorus reflects on the hope a person might cling to even as they approach death. ‘This is just a fashion my love, if we rise, glistening black’. The ‘fashion’ spoken of here could refer to death itself, suggesting that it’s just a transition and that there is something beautiful on the other side of it. There could also be a hint of religion here, with the idea of rising again after death.
‘Glistening Black’ is a song that captures the mystery of death and reminds us of the temporality of life. It provides a powerful glimpse into the unknown and encourages reflection, while also offering a glimmer of hope that there might be something waiting for us in the beyond.