Meaning of "Child's Play" by Carcass

The lyrics of "Child's Play" delve into the harsh realities of growing up in a decaying and desolate urban landscape. The nursery described in the opening lines represents a crumbling and dilapidated environment, lacking in warmth and nurturing. It is implied that the children raised in this environment are doomed from the start, as their fate is sealed in a playground of grayness.

The use of imagery throughout the lyrics highlights the bleakness and decay of the city. Rusted iron, cracked stone, and steel symbolize the deterioration and neglect of the urban landscape. The mention of a "backdrop of drab, cold corrosion" further emphasizes the lifeless and desolate nature of the setting.

The lyrics also introduce the concept of playing as a metaphor for navigating through life. The line "We learn to dance, love, sing and play" suggests that even in such a bleak environment, there is still an innate desire to find joy and happiness. However, the subsequent reference to razor wire as an umbilical cord and an unsterile womb of urban decay suggests that this pursuit of joy is fraught with danger and contamination.

As the song progresses, the lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The redevelopment project mentioned ends in ruins, leaving behind more squalor and dereliction. The darkness and gloom that permeate the surroundings mirror the emotional state of the people living in the city. The line "Not a far cry from a tortured cat, your cities will become your tombs" implies that the city itself has become a prison, binding its inhabitants with its decay and hopelessness.

Overall, "Child's Play" speaks to the cyclical nature of decay and despair in an urban landscape. The lyrics present a grim portrayal of the effects of neglect and the struggle to find happiness in such a challenging environment.