Death for the Decent is the first of three songs to be released for Campbell Sibthorpe’s forthcoming EP Sky Lily. The project unifies three deaths, topped and tailed with euphoric instrumentals calling on a higher power for an understanding of life and death.
https://soundcloud.com/campbellsibthorpe/deathforthedecent/s-49hvw
Death and faith are profound inspirations for Campbell Sibthorpe, who says, ‘I’ve always been fascinated by stark tragedy. I feel on some level I connect, in the most sincere way possible, with that stomach-punch feeling of loss’.
‘Death for the Decent’ steps into the perspective of the deceased meeting with the divine. Inspired by real-life tragedy, it reflects in sheer sadness for the afflicted – the song mourns that they came so close to redemption, and their lack of remorse. Lyrics are threaded through a ghostly, lilting waltz. A faint melody fades in and out of memory while wailing guitars and cymbal crescendos reference some distance choir.
“I think it’s in our nature to suppress feelings of mortality […] the process of reopening moments of loss can be hard because I have to return to somewhere I haven’t ever been before.”
The song closes with a personal reflection whilst addressing the deceased. The narrator questions what redeems this person, what qualifies them for forgiveness. The song begins even to question itself, why it was written. Coming full circle, the song speaks to the deceased in the voice of a God or pardoner: ‘Approach upon the gate/brother it’s okay/all is forgiven’.
‘Death for the Decent’, is released 28th February 2017.
Find out more about Campbell Sibthorpe here: