Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a grand, almost mythic death for Ramses II, framing it not as a simple passing but as a divine ascension. The repeated declaration, "Ramses II is dead, my love," immediately establishes a somber tone, yet it's immediately softened by the imagery of his journey to the afterlife. The narrator seems to be speaking to a beloved "my love," perhaps mourning a shared loss or using Ramses as a grand metaphor for a significant departure. The central tension lies in the contrast between the finality of death and the celebratory, almost triumphant depiction of the afterlife journey. Instead of a somber burial, Ramses is depicted being "taken him in the solar bargue" and "walked him to nuit's celestial shores." The presence of multiple deities like Ptah, Ra, and Sokaris, along with the "Celestial boat," elevates his death into a divine procession, suggesting a revered figure moving into eternal glory. The craft here is in the consistent invocation of ancient Egyptian mythology to describe a death. Phrases like "solar bargue," "nuit's celestial shores," and "plains where the Blessed live" create a rich, otherworldly atmosphere. The repetition of "Ramses II" builds a sense of his monumental presence, even in death, while the image of his "pylons did wave / With the flags of his victorys" juxtaposes his earthly triumphs with his heavenly voyage, suggesting his legacy continues. This lyrical approach makes the death feel less like an ending and more like a transition into a grand, eternal narrative. The focus on divine escort and celestial travel, rather than earthly decay, offers a comforting and awe-inspiring perspective on mortality. The "coffin of gold and the pretty pale carvings" further emphasize the preciousness and beauty of this final passage, making the loss feel significant but also divinely ordained and beautifully managed.