This is how I interpret the song, Of course I can't be entirely correct, after all, poetry is only a play of words.
'Harvest': For all those who say that this song is not about death, the very title of the song clarifies it.
'The harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping follows harvesting, where the grain is separated from the cut crops with the help of the reaper/scythe.'
That is when the one who has lived their life completely dies. The Reaper takes his grain (soul).
'Stay with me a while,
Rise above the vile.'
The writer wants someone by his side in the last few minutes of his life. But he doesn't want them to be saddened by his state (rise above the vile).
'Name my final rest,
Poured into my chest.'
Here, I guess by naming his 'final rest' he means put a grave stone above his coffin (Poured into my chest).
'Into the orchard i walk peering way past the gate.'
He knows that he is just about to die, now he looks back at what's happening around his dying body (peering way past the gate).
'Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait.'
Very brilliant pun! When a plant wilts, it bows its head (Flower & Stem). Wilted scenes refers to the sadness that surrounds a person who's dying i.e. everyone's "wilting" (sobbing with their heads held low). 'Us who couldn't wait' refers to those who couldn't wait back here on Earth (people who are dying). This is what the writer sees- a scene of utter sadness.
'Drained by the coldest caress, stalking shadows ahead.'
Further, he describes the people around his dying body. There are some people around him that are holding onto him (caress) yet these people are not really sad or they do not feel for the writer (cold). He doesn't want them around (stalking shadows).
'Halo of death, all i see is departure.'
He is encircled (Halo) by death and sees only one way out.
'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.'
People around him are depressed and crying but yet, he is the one who will actually have to witness (martyr) death helplessly.
Now, he looks upon his most beloved one's (wife, son, lover, etc.).
'Pledge yourself to me,
Never leave me be'
He wants a promise that they will think of him often i.e. pledge themselves to his memories. And never forget him.
'Sweat breaks on my brow,
Given time ends now.'
He's worried that he will never see them again. Their time together is almost over.
Now he has passed away. This is probably at his funeral.
'Spirit painted sin,
Embers neath my skin'
He has done ill all his life and feels his soul is tainted with sin. His spirit looks around and at his dead lifeless body. And sees the fire (life) within him is extinguished (gone).
Embers refers to the remains of a fire (it's something like the smoke that comes out after you blow out the flame on a matchstick).
'Veiled in pale embrace,
Reached and touched my face.'
People are dressed (veiled) in black (pale refers to absence of color, so it need not always mean white). They reached down and touched his face (a tradition followed at some funerals).
So basically, it has nothing to do with suicide, heaven or hell. It's only and only about those few minutes before and after death.
I don't really know if anyone will even read this, but I like writing anyway. Let me know what you'll think.
Got to hear this song a while back. There was this feeling of grief and could easily relate my interpretation of this song to yours. I should, however, thank you for giving a detailed description of what you've been thinking. I was impressed with the writer for these lines:
................
'Halo of death, all i see is departure.'
'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.'
..........
'Spirit painted sin,
Embers neath my skin'
Got to hear this song a while back. There was this feeling of grief and could easily relate my interpretation of this song to yours. I should, however, thank you for giving a detailed description of what you've been thinking. I was impressed with the writer for these lines:
................
'Halo of death, all i see is departure.'
'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.'
..........
'Spirit painted sin,
Embers neath my skin'
This is how I interpret the song, Of course I can't be entirely correct, after all, poetry is only a play of words.
'Harvest': For all those who say that this song is not about death, the very title of the song clarifies it. 'The harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping follows harvesting, where the grain is separated from the cut crops with the help of the reaper/scythe.' That is when the one who has lived their life completely dies. The Reaper takes his grain (soul).
'Stay with me a while, Rise above the vile.' The writer wants someone by his side in the last few minutes of his life. But he doesn't want them to be saddened by his state (rise above the vile).
'Name my final rest, Poured into my chest.' Here, I guess by naming his 'final rest' he means put a grave stone above his coffin (Poured into my chest).
'Into the orchard i walk peering way past the gate.' He knows that he is just about to die, now he looks back at what's happening around his dying body (peering way past the gate).
'Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait.' Very brilliant pun! When a plant wilts, it bows its head (Flower & Stem). Wilted scenes refers to the sadness that surrounds a person who's dying i.e. everyone's "wilting" (sobbing with their heads held low). 'Us who couldn't wait' refers to those who couldn't wait back here on Earth (people who are dying). This is what the writer sees- a scene of utter sadness.
'Drained by the coldest caress, stalking shadows ahead.' Further, he describes the people around his dying body. There are some people around him that are holding onto him (caress) yet these people are not really sad or they do not feel for the writer (cold). He doesn't want them around (stalking shadows).
'Halo of death, all i see is departure.' He is encircled (Halo) by death and sees only one way out.
'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.' People around him are depressed and crying but yet, he is the one who will actually have to witness (martyr) death helplessly.
Now, he looks upon his most beloved one's (wife, son, lover, etc.). 'Pledge yourself to me, Never leave me be' He wants a promise that they will think of him often i.e. pledge themselves to his memories. And never forget him.
'Sweat breaks on my brow, Given time ends now.' He's worried that he will never see them again. Their time together is almost over.
Now he has passed away. This is probably at his funeral. 'Spirit painted sin, Embers neath my skin' He has done ill all his life and feels his soul is tainted with sin. His spirit looks around and at his dead lifeless body. And sees the fire (life) within him is extinguished (gone). Embers refers to the remains of a fire (it's something like the smoke that comes out after you blow out the flame on a matchstick).
'Veiled in pale embrace, Reached and touched my face.' People are dressed (veiled) in black (pale refers to absence of color, so it need not always mean white). They reached down and touched his face (a tradition followed at some funerals).
So basically, it has nothing to do with suicide, heaven or hell. It's only and only about those few minutes before and after death. I don't really know if anyone will even read this, but I like writing anyway. Let me know what you'll think.
Got to hear this song a while back. There was this feeling of grief and could easily relate my interpretation of this song to yours. I should, however, thank you for giving a detailed description of what you've been thinking. I was impressed with the writer for these lines: ................ 'Halo of death, all i see is departure.' 'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.' .......... 'Spirit painted sin, Embers neath my skin'
Got to hear this song a while back. There was this feeling of grief and could easily relate my interpretation of this song to yours. I should, however, thank you for giving a detailed description of what you've been thinking. I was impressed with the writer for these lines: ................ 'Halo of death, all i see is departure.' 'Mourner's lament but it's me who's to martyr.' .......... 'Spirit painted sin, Embers neath my skin'