"Louis Mercier" by Joshua Burnside tells the story of a man named Louis Mercier and his journey through life. The song is filled with symbolism and uses vivid imagery to depict different moments in Louis’ life. The opening lines describe love letters smeared with burgundy red ink and lascivious words suddenly coming to an end. This could represent the end of a passionate love affair or relationship, with the wine on the floor symbolizing the emotional aftermath. The narrative then shifts to Little Louis, who is four years old and sees a monster in his home through the keyhole at night. The lamplight is soft and yellow, adding a sense of mystery to the scene. This could represent a childhood fear or trauma that haunts Louis as he grows older. As Louis ages, he becomes a legionnaire, a member of a legion, perhaps referring to the French Foreign Legion. The lyrics describe Louis as being as broad as a boulder with the world on his shoulders, indicating his strength and burden of responsibilities. The tricolour refers to the French flag, symbolizing his loyalty and patriotism. The lyrics mention places like Saigon and the Ivory Coast, suggesting that Louis goes on military or mercenary missions to diverse locations. The Holy Ghost floating above could represent spiritual guidance or protection as they march for their goals. The song then takes a darker turn, referring to the exploitation of resources such as rubber, diamonds, tea, and tin. The stage being set and lights dimmed implies a deceitful and manipulative backdrop. The mention of loaded guns behind the curtain suggests hidden agendas and ulterior motives. The lyrics then reveal that the noblest plans often fail and the greed of man can lead to destruction. Iron, coal, steel, and cotton could symbolize industries that exploit both natural resources and human labor. The reference to teachers forgetting damp and warm pages could imply the neglect or intentional ignorance of history and lessons learned. The repetition of "They forgot" emphasizes the theme of forgetting or failing to learn from past mistakes. It implies a cycle of greed, exploitation, and neglect that continues to perpetuate. The song serves as a commentary on the consequences of human actions and the disregard for the well-being of others. Overall, "Louis Mercier" by Joshua Burnside is a thought-provoking song that uses imagery and symbolism to explore themes of love, fear, greed, and societal exploitation. Through the story of Louis Mercier, it raises questions about the impact of our choices and the consequences of forgetting the lessons of the past.
