Cirice

To me the narrator is a religious figure, a prophet/bishop/pastor/father whatever, and is very successfully convincing someone in a very vulnerable place to join his sect (and possibly his bed). Being an American and knowing the very charismatic leaders of various Christian sects here and that tactics they use I can't help but think of some televangelist or an old southern Baptist preacher. It's hitting all the main beats that someone would do to convince a vulnerable person to join a religion or cult.

"I can feel your presence amongst us/You cannot hide in the darkness" They start off sweet, caring and seemingly omniscient and subtly acknowledges they are in a bad place.

"I know your soul is not tainted/Even though you've been told so" This is the narrator essentially saying "I'm not like the other religions you've tried in your life, telling you you're worthless, I can feel you're actually very special, come with me"

Through the chorus he continues to woo the person, in my head it's a woman, and now they're officially a part of the cult. The repetition of using phrases that both lift this person up and tearing them down causes the person to subconsciously seek this person's constant approval, to the point where he convinces her to sleep with him

"A candle casting a faint glow/You and I see eye to eye Now there is nothing between us/From now our merge is eternal Can’t you see that you’re lost?/Can’t you see that you’re lost without me?"

From now our merge is eternal to me is him saying you are now forever mine, I can do whatever I want with you, you are powerless to me.

Think of the narrator as some sort of Charles Manson type of person, through charisma and abuse is able to manipulate people to do things they probably wouldn't have done before. Because of the band and how they look I'll always see a correlation to religion they're trying to make, implying many of these religions use the same abusive manipulation tactics on weak minded and vulnerable people as cult leaders do, they if you don't see that I understand it's a stretch since there's no real mention of religion at all in this song. It's essentially about abuse that, in my opinion, relates to religion

Ghost are notorious for having multiple layers in their songs. The easiest way to attack the meaning of this song, is in the context of the album.

The song "He Is" was originally meant to be called "She Is". This is a clue that on the surface is empty, adds a great deal of context.

Cirice is an old English word for "Church". However, due to the previous clue that they are not so much writing this album for Lucifer or Satan, but for the feminine dark matryon. Having an interest in Mythology, I believe that this figure is Hekate/Hecate, Goddess of Witchcraft and Storms, which fits with the lines "Can you hear the rumble..." Hekate was an original form of the dark mistress/master archetype, existing as far back as Ancient Egypt, long before Lucifer. She was known as the She Bitch, due to her companions being dogs.

Also, the use of Cirice as a title could also be a play on Circe from Greek Mythology, whom was seen to be Hekate's child and transformed her enemies into beasts, using her magical abilities. She was once also guided through the underworld by Hekate, Hekate being a prominent psychopomp(guide).

So what does this all mean?

My thoughts:

This song is a verbal nod to Hekate. An understanding that despite her actual significance being lost and demonized, they can see through all the darkness(Lies added over the years) and that they respect her as the foundation of everything Lucifer is based on. That although her presence is all but lost "Candle casting a faint glow" there are those who notice her presence.

It's also a statement that we all have dark aspects to us. These are not ugly. We should not feel that our soul is tainted because of our human nature.We must accept our whole, a common problem with religion.

Cirice is probable the best song to saturate my music pallet in years. Read into it what you will but mold it's lyrics in a way that suits you. I think the song is about reaching out to somebody in despair and turmoil. But giving the nature of the nameless ghouls and Papa Emeritus III can see where some people might come to the conclusion that's it is Satan trying to steal a soul. People pray to God with promises of comfort ease of pain. I know for a fact that when you hear the rumble!! Can you hear the thunder I was always told that God is bowling in Heaven not once did anyone say Satan is Bowling!!! In my day a bands appearance was there shhtick or gimmick now people read to much into entertainment if your offended or you think Ghost is sac religious to the core don't buy there stuff and please don't go to a show.just to fuck up a person's good time you know a person who can except the fact that it is entertainment and I commend these people for being able to separate whats good,evil, and whats entertainment. That being said hey Papa how about a round trip airfare ticket from Texas to your Amsterdam show oh and a ticket to the show. Signed David Big fan

It is about the domestication that beats down every man and woman, speaking to the silencing of individual ideals and thought.

I know it sounds silly, but for me it's like temptation calling to a person, like heroin or even an abusive partner. The temptation offers understanding and comfort but with sinister undertones.

And I've just found this band and I fucking love this song :D Thank you Kerrang radio.

I think the song is about Circe, a goddess/ sorceress/ nymph/ enchantress etc in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of the Titan sun god Helios, and by most accounts, the ocean nymph Perse, by other accounts of Hecate, a moon and witchcraft goddess. She lived in (relative) seclusion on the island of Aeaea. Anyone that stumbled upon the island, she would seduce, lure to her palace, and by means of herbs and incantations turn them into animals. Legend has it she would turn men into what they really were, so sometimes a lion, a bird, a pig (most famous for) etc. To me, this song sounds like it sung from her perspective to the men she lured in (I can see through the scars inside you/ can't you see that you're lost without me?). The thunder was probably a reference to a storm wracking ships on her island, her mother Perse, or simply foreshadowing.

It could even be from Odysseus' perspective, who turned the tables and seduced Circe in order for her to tell him how to get past the gates of the Underworld.

I see this song as Satan trying to influence a person going through troubled times. He's trying to tempt the person by both saying he understand the turmoil they're going through (I can feel the thunder breaking in your heart) and that he understands (I can see through the scars inside you) and has a solution (can't you see that you're lost without me?).

I don't even necessarily see the song as being malevolent in nature. It could be an offering of help from an unexpected source. The person is looking for answers and Satan is both tempting them and also saying "you may not have expected help to come from me, but it can, if you want it."

To me it sounds like a lover or friend trying to comfort someone. But they're being secretive or distant. And it's not fooling them

"I feel your presence amongst us You cannot hide in the darkness"

Asking if it's painful to keep their emotions bottled up. Whether they need to express themselves.

"Can you hear the rumble? Can you hear the rumble that’s calling"

They're trying to let them know they understand what they're going through, or that they sympathize

"I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart I can see through the scars inside you"

The person reassures that they're of an understanding

"A candle casting a faint glow You and I see eye to eye"

They then express their bond with eachother. That they need them.

"Now there is nothing between us From now our merge is eternal Can’t you see that you’re lost? Can’t you see that you’re lost without me?"

This is more like how people interact with prayers spiritually and how they relate to god their issues...

Great song. Although this qualified as heavy rock, I see it more as doom metal. All hail The Clergy.