Komm, süsser Tod

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For the novel by Wolf Haas, see Come Sweet Death.

"Komm, süsser Tod" (German, Come, Sweet Death in English, 甘き死よ、来たれ in Japanese) is the title of a song, sung in English, featured prominently in Hideaki Anno's 1997 animated film The End of Evangelion. The song is performed by Arianne, who is backed by piano, pipe-organ and various string arrangements by Shiro Sagisu. The chord progression of the verses is very similar to that of Pachebel's Canon (itself used in Evangelion: Death and Rebirth), and also bears a stylistic similarity to "Hey Jude" by The Beatles. The name "Komm, süsser Tod" is similar to is the title of a Bach cantata or aria (BWV 478)[4] named "Komm, du süsse Todesstunde" (Come thou sweet death's hour"); it is frequently suggested that the former was inspired by the latter^[1]. The version released on The End of Evangelion and The End of Evangelion Singles soundtracks is approximately 7 minutes 41 seconds; there is an alternate version which is included in the Evangelion Vox soundtrack, called "Komm Süsser Tod (Tumbling Down Mix)", which differs in music and singer.

The original lyrics were written by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno for the Japanese language version of the song, and very loosely translated into English by Mike Wyzgowski; the two versions differ noticeably in emphasis and meaning^[2].

The song, although performed in a comparatively upbeat manner, alludes both to suicide and the end of the world. Judging by the tone of the lyrics, it seems to be a hypothetical apology made by Shinji Ikari at the end of the saga's events. Some speculate that, due to the German title, lyric content, and female singer, the song is in fact written from Asuka Langley Soryu's perspective; or that the apology from Shinji is generally aimed towards her. The original Japanese lyrics are written in a female colloquial style: for example, the particle の of the first verse 不安なの^[3]. The two versions of the song support different interpretations; one of the verses of the original Japanese can be translated as:

Let's return to nothing
Let's return to nothing
That is the place filling with and full of gentleness
There is the place without the pain of truth
The place without the tremble of the heart^[4]

The verse echoes a number of sentences spoken by Rei Ayanami during the original TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion, such as "I want to return to nothing". But the official English translation reads for the corresponding verse:

I wish that I could turn back time
'cause now the guilt is all mine
can't live without
the trust from those you love.
I know we can't forget the past,
you can't forget love and pride^[5];
because of that, it's killing me inside

[edit] References

^ For example, see [1]
^ See for example, "About the songs: Komm süsser Tod (Come, sweet Death); FAQ": "There is 2 variants of song, Japanese and English (remastered by Hideaki Anno) They are dramatically [[sic]] different, so may be treated as different songs for one theme." Or "NEON GENESIS EVANGELION" lyrics: "Amaki shi yo, kitare" and "Komm, süsser Tod", which says "Bizarrely enough, it is sung entirely in English (by the vocalist ARIANNE), but that is not its original state. It began as verse, written by Anno himself, entitled "Amaki shi yo, kitare" (guess what that means ;;>), from which Mike Wyzgowski created the loose English adaptation that you hear in the film."
^ [2], [3]
^ Translation from "About the songs: Komm süsser Tod (Come, sweet Death); FAQ"
^ Asuka's character is noted as a prideful character, whereas neither Shinji Ikari nor Rei Ayanami are noted for pride.

[edit] External links

"Amaki shi yo, kitare (Komm, susser Tod/Come Sweet Death)" -(literal translation of the original Japanese lyrics)

v • d • e Neon Genesis Evangelion
Creators:	Hideaki Anno • Yoshiyuki Sadamoto • Gainax
TV Series:	Neon Genesis Evangelion
Films:	Death and Rebirth • The End of Evangelion • Revival of Evangelion • Rebuild of Evangelion • Untitled Evangelion live action movie
Characters:	Asuka • Gendo • Kaworu • Misato • Rei • Ritsuko • Kaji • Shinji • Toji • Yui
Glossary:	Eva Units • Angels • Human Instrumentality Project • Timeline
Video Games:	Ayanami Raising Project • Girlfriend of Steel • Girlfriend of Steel 2 • Evangelion 64 • Shinji Ikari Raising Project • Shinji and Good Friends • Neon Genesis Evangelion 2
Misc:	List of media and episodes • "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" • "Komm, süsser Tod" • Angelic Days manga • Red Cross Book • ReDeath • Topics