Lyric discussion by Yowza 

Cover art for Ribbons lyrics by Sisters of Mercy, The

This seems to me to be about war. The atrocities of war.

"I'm lying on my back now, the stars look all too near" Lying wounded, near death.

"I was thinking about her skin" "Love is a many splintered thing" A double entendre.

"But she looked good in ribbons" Another double entendre.

"Incoming" Shouted as bombs drop from above.

"Flowers on the razor wire" Self explanatory, anti-war.

This song is deep.

My Interpretation
Negative
Subjective
Sadness
Disgust
War
Love
Death
Anti-war