Lyric discussion by Dude555 

Cover art for Possession lyrics by Sisters of Mercy, The

(This is the one... if not the most darkest song by Andrew Eldritch.

Possession captures you in totality. It pulls you into a state of trance. It grips you tightly. You start belonging to this song.. one day)

Carrion child, prey for me Play your wild card See the house come down around your head Home to me, so much dreaming Some say I'm growing cold and Taking over

(Carrion refers to the dead and decaying flesh of an animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems.

The ecosystem here is death and the dead)

Nothing, cuts, two ways Possession Taking over . (You are certainly going to die one day... how do you think of that is what Andrew Eldritch is asking you)

(The grip takes hold of you.... the song has now captured you. You are reminded that it is a one way street... Nothing cuts two ways)

Stand these pictures on your shelf And wear your heart upon my sleeve Wear a dress that you can see through See yourself inside

(pictures are of past memories. ..heart upon my sleeve... is trust in me again (being captured preparing you) wearing a see through dress (not a woman's dress only. ..but what you wear in general) this relates to being transparent in this decision of being captured by death one day.)

See yourself inside (start to believe and picture this) I'll be your imagination (death gives you an imagination of itself) Tear apart what you believe (release yourself from the world) Make a mess of your conviction Take away my pride and leave Nothing, but the debris (your friends & family are shocked and you leave confusion and a mess)

(The song builds and enforces this capture)

Possession Taking over Somehow the fact takes over And the fiction coming through

(The song builds and enforces this capture)

(Until)

Possession Taking hold

(We are all attracted to death one way or another. This is the one and final account of you. The GRIP in this song just makes us want to know about it more... We get lost in the Trance and imagination of it...)

(Although dark... Andrews intention is to prepare you... make you really think about something like death. ... we all have to endure it one day any ways)

Song Meaning

@Dude555 Excellent, deep analysis. I don't see the reference to death. If anything the song suggests a repetition of the same dynamic, which is problematic.

"Cuts two ways" IMHO means that the relationship (unexpectedly) also harmed him, causing him to cry." The expression is a play on the well-established "cuts both ways."