Face Of Melinda

beautiful song akerfeldt says in the booklet of the Still Life digipack re-release: "As Peter was working on his leads I sat down and finished the lyrics. Back home I had been writing a short story about religious beliefs contra atheism and how it would have affected someone in the old or even ancient days. The main character was a religious man who somewhere down the line started questioning his faith and eventually would lose it. He was to be banished from his village by "the council" and would only return years later for his then past love, Melinda, who was scheduled to be unwillingly married through family pressures. Yes, quite romantic at times but overall it was a pretty dark affair that I'm still quite happy about today."

melinda is 'taken' because she's a nun now, "a harlot of God upon the earth."

this fits in much better because the main character was outcast under religious pretense, thus causing the main character to hate God, yet the woman he loves believes firmly in God.

melinda certainly reciprocates his love, as she wouldn't go to bed with him and abandon her covenant as a nun if she didn't. unfortunately she is killed by the townspeople in serenity painted death after this occurs.

I love this song so much, the first time I heard it I was listening to it on my head phones, and I met the most awsome chick ever!!!! I asked her her name and it was melinda, and she has black beautiful hair. And it was like the song was about her, and we are together now. Very special song to me.

by returnsandexchanges on 03-04-2006 @ 06:55:25 AM melinda is 'taken' because she's a nun now, "a harlot of God upon the earth."

this fits in much better because the main character was outcast under religious pretense, thus causing the main character to hate God, yet the woman he loves believes firmly in God.

melinda certainly reciprocates his love, as she wouldn't go to bed with him and abandon her covenant as a nun if she didn't. unfortunately she is killed by the townspeople in serenity painted death after this occurs.

you are probably one of the few people who really get this album, except for the town part. its more loggical he is banished from his country ofcourse and not townspeople kill melinda but the soldiers of the cross

This song is about the man coming back to his old love, Melinda. He is unable to deal with the fact that she loves someone else now.

I disagree. surely the line "My promise is made but my heart is thine" says she still loves him? They were lovers, he went away, she was forced into another marriage, and now when he returns, although the feelings remain, there is nothing either of them can do. O the angst! Seeriously though, I love this song.

to get this song you have to listen to the whole album from start to finish. it is one story about a man banished from his town, and comes back for his true love, melinda, who is 'taken' . listen to the whole album and this song's lyrics will make complete sense. same deal with 'my arms, your hearse'

I just checked out Opeth news and Mikael Åkerfeldt's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl. And Mikael named her Melinda. I wonder if there is a story behind the name?

yep... Mikael named his daughter melinda... ... well, a great track and a great album nonetheless..

returnsandexchanges (Follow his View ;D)

Her new love is god. And he doesn't love god. But she still loves him as much. So she is devided by - "Her promise...". But she also clearly states that - "...my heart is thine."