This is the resources page for The Alice Syndrome track Haiku Priestess
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Lyrics Giant stars collapsed Giant stars collapsed A duality, substance, power The weight of the words lands gently Hurt buried deep to avoid the unbearable Fear and confusion Fear and confusion Slime, seething with spite Unexpected hurt floods system Trinkets of status Trinkets of status The weight of the words lands gently Fear and confusion Fear and confusion Slime, seething with spite Unexpected hurt floods system Trinkets of status Trinkets of status The weight of the words lands gently Fear and confusion Fear and confusion Slime, seething with spite Unexpected hurt floods system Trinkets of status Trinkets of status
Whirling ghosts merged and shuddered
Rippling through time and space
Whirling ghosts merged and shuddered
Rippling through time and space
Imbalance, equal opposite, opposite
With great impact
Part of the process
Unearthing sheds light
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
Shutdown
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
shutdown
Tormentors lurk in the depths
Bleaching out the joy
Wounds opened by the brash
And the rash
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
With great impact
Part of the process
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
shutdown
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
shutdown
Tormentors lurk in the depths
Bleaching out the joy
Wounds opened by the brash
And the rash
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
With great impact
Part of the process
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
shutdown
Pain and pleasure
Sensory overload
shutdown
Tormentors lurk in the depths
Bleaching out the joy
Wounds opened by the brash
And the rash
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
Conventional worth
Value, dismissed by design
The lyrics to Haiku Priestess, are a complex and poetic expression of emotions and experiences. The song is divided into four sections, each consisting of three haikus, followed by a chorus that repeats the same four lines. The haikus follow the traditional 5-7-5 syllable pattern, but they also rhyme, creating a musical and rhythmic effect.
The first section describes the cosmic origin of existence, using metaphors of giant stars, whirling ghosts, and ripples in time and space. This singer suggests that they are a product of a duality, a substance and a power that are imbalanced and opposite. This sets the stage for the contrast and conflict that will be explored in the rest of the song.
The second section focuses on the inner world, describing experiences of a range of emotions and sensations that are overwhelming and sometimes contradictory. Words such as hurt, fear, confusion, pain, pleasure, sensory overload, and shutdown are used to convey intense feelings. The chorus repeats the phrase “the weight of the words lands gently with great impact”, implying an awareness of the power and significance of expression, but that it can also be softened or moderated.
The third section shifts to the outer world, where the challenges and threats from others who do not understand or appreciate are explored. There is use of the imagery of slime, spite, tormentors, bleaching, wounds, brash, and rash to enemies and their actions. The song also contrasts values with those of the mainstream society, rejecting trinkets of status and conventional worth.
The fourth section repeats the same haikus as the first section. This creates a sense of closure and circularity, but also a subtle change in tone and emphasis.
The song is a powerful and creative example of using haiku as a form of lyrical expression. It manages to convey a lot of information and emotion in a concise and structured way, while also creating a musical and poetic effect.
