Wish I Had An Angel

The song "Wish I Had An Angel" by Nightwish delves into the complex emotions of desire, temptation, and the pain of unattainable love. Nightwish, known for their symphonic metal style, often incorporates dark, fantastical themes into their music, and this song is no exception. The lyrics express a yearning for an angelic figure, symbolizing purity and perfection, which the narrator wishes to possess for just a moment of love. This desire is contrasted with the acknowledgment of an 'innocent heart' and the anticipation of inevitable pain and betrayal.

The repeated line 'Old loves they die hard, old lies they die harder' suggests a history of painful experiences in love, where past deceptions leave a lasting impact. The narrator's admission of being 'in love with my lust' and the imagery of 'burning angel wings to dust' convey a struggle between the purity of the angel figure and the destructive nature of the narrator's desires. This internal conflict is further highlighted by the juxtaposition of the 'Virgin Mary undone' with the narrator's own sinful longing.

The song also touches on themes of hypocrisy and betrayal, as seen in the lines referencing the 'thirteenth disciple who betrayed me for nothing.' This alludes to Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, adding a layer of religious symbolism to the song. The 'greatest thrill' is not in the act of destruction but in possessing the 'prize of the night,' which could be interpreted as the fleeting satisfaction of giving in to temptation. The closing lines, with their repeated wishes for an angel, underscore the persistent and haunting nature of the desires that plague the narrator.