I Know Those Eyes / This Man Is Dead

Thomas Borchert's song "I Know Those Eyes / This Man Is Dead" delves into the complex emotions of identity, loss, and the haunting presence of the past. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character who is grappling with the return of someone they once knew intimately. The opening lines express a rush of emotions and disbelief, as the protagonist recognizes familiar eyes and a face that once haunted their dreams. This recognition is tinged with a sense of surrealism, as the person appears younger and kinder, yet remains a distant whisper.

The song's narrative shifts to a poignant realization that the person they once knew is effectively dead, having been transformed by the harsh experiences of life, symbolized by the Château d'If. This reference to the infamous prison from Alexandre Dumas'