Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a stark picture of Halloween night in a big city, starting with the familiar imagery of trick-or-treaters and the sweet scent of wax candles. This initial sweetness, however, is quickly undercut by a chilling shift. The wind, which initially carried a pleasant scent, soon brings something else: "another prejudice." This introduces a darker, more unsettling undercurrent to the festive scene.
The song juxtaposes the superficiality of a holiday celebration with a deeper, more pervasive ugliness. The image of a "doll… they hurt it" suggests a vulnerability and a victimhood that mirrors the "witch who ended her life / screaming in a bonfire." This connection implies that beneath the surface of civilization, there's a recurring pattern of destruction and suffering, whether directed at an object or a person.
The writing crafts this unease through subtle but powerful contrasts. The "sweet scent" of the holiday is directly opposed by the "prejudice" the wind carries. The narrator observes that "beautiful cities are quite similar to each other / And those that are not / Each has its ugliness." This suggests a universal presence of ugliness, regardless of outward appearance, and reinforces the idea that the "prejudice" is not an isolated incident but a recurring theme.
Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they expose the darkness lurking beneath celebratory facades. The seemingly innocent Halloween setting becomes a backdrop for a commentary on societal cruelty and the enduring nature of prejudice. The repeated phrase, "the wind brings another prejudice," acts as a haunting refrain, emphasizing that this darkness is an ever-present force, not just a seasonal occurrence.