Lyric discussion by rex666 

Cover art for Ribbons lyrics by Sisters of Mercy, The

to me this has always been about a girl that has tried to commit suicide and now works as a prostitute....

"flowers on the razor wire" A flower tattoo over the razor scars on her wrists.

"she looked good in ribbons" Bondage

"i tried to tell her about marx and engels, god and angels" trying several arguments to get her out of prostitution.

"her lovers cued up in the hallway i heard them scratching at the door" her other clients.