Komm, süsser Tod

"Komm, süsser Tod" (German: Come, Sweet Death) is the English-language song which plays during the Third Impact when Instrumentality is initiated in The End of Evangelion. The song is performed by South African-born British singer Arianne, backed by piano, pipe organ and various string arrangements by Shiro Sagisu. The original lyrics were by Hideaki Anno, which was later adapted into English by Mike Wyzgowski.

Mike Wyzgowski's Lyrics

Lyrics	Japanese Interpretation by ジャニス.	Japanese Interpretation by ジャ・クイユ様.
I know, I know I've let you down I've been a fool to myself I thought that I could Live for no one else But now, through all the hurt & pain It's time for me to respect The ones you love Mean more than anything So with sadness in my heart (I) feel the best thing I could do Is end it all And leave forever What's done is done It feels so bad What once was happy now is sad I'll never love again My world is ending 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 & pride Because of that, it's killing me inside It all returns to nothing, it all comes tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down It all returns to nothing, I just keep letting me down, letting me down, letting me down In my heart of hearts I know that I could never love again I've lost everything Everything Everything that matters to me Matters in this world 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 & pride Because of that, it's killing me inside It all returns to nothing, it all comes tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down It all returns to nothing, I just keep letting me down, letting me down, letting me down It all returns to nothing, it all comes tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down It all returns to nothing, I just keep letting me down, letting me down, letting me down	そう　私はあなたを失望させてきた 私は無駄な努力をしていたの 誰のためにでもなく生きていけると思っていた でも今や辛い日々は去って あなたの愛する人たちに 何よりも大切な人たちに敬意を表す時がきた 私はベストを尽くしたわ でも悲しい事に私がしてあげられることは すべてに終止符を打つこと　そして永遠に去りゆくこと 過去は過去にすぎない　苦しいけれど かつて幸せだったことが今は悲しい もう二度と愛したりしない　私の世界は終わりを告げている 時間を逆戻りさせたい 今やすべての罪は私のものになってしまったから あなたの愛する人たちの信頼なしには生きていけない そう　私たちは過去を忘れられない あなたは愛とプライドを忘れられない それが私を深く傷付ける 無へ還ろう　みんな崩れていく　崩れていく　崩れていく 無へ還ろう　私は壊れていく　壊れていく　壊れていく 心の底から思う　もう二度と愛など求めないと 私はすべてを失った　すべてを 私にとって意味のあるものすべてを この世で意味あるものすべてを	いつもあなたを傷つけてきたけれど 私はなんて愚かだったのかしら ずっと､独りぼっちだと思ってきたけれど でも､痛みが教えてくれたの 心を開く勇気と 愛することの尊さを でも､悲しいけれど全てを終わらせるわ それが私にできる唯一のことだから 胸が張り裂けそうだけど あなたを悲しませるくらいなら 愛なんていらない たとえ独りで生きて行くことになっても もう一度やりなおして 過ちを取り戻してみたいけど それは願ってはいけないこと だって､想い出をなくしてほしくないから あなたが愛したものを忘れて欲しくないから たとえ､わたしの心が壊れてしまってもいいから だから無に還るの　深い､深い闇の底へと だから無に還るの　遠い､遠い誰もいない世界へと わたしの心はもう愛を叫ぶことはないわ すべてを捨てるから そう､すべてを 絆のすべてを

Anno's Original Verse

Original Japanese Lyrics: Hideaki Anno
Transliteration & Translation: Reichu

Japanese	Romaji	Translated
不安なの。 不安なの。 みんなに嫌われるのが、怖い。 自分が傷つくのが、怖い。 でも、ヒトを傷つけるのが、もっと怖い。 でも、傷つけてしまう。 好きなヒトを傷つけてしまう。 だから、ヒトを好きにならない。 だから、自分を傷つけるの。 嫌いだから。 だいっキライだから。 好きになっては、いけないの。 だから、自分を傷つける。 優しさはとても残酷 心を委ねたら、私は壊れてしまう 心が触れ合えば、あの人は傷つく だから、私は壊れるしかない 無へと還るしかない 無へと還ろう 無へと還ろう それは、優しさに満ち満ちたところ そこは、真実の痛みのないところ 心の揺らぎのないところ 無へと還ろう 無へと還ろう 他人のいない無へと還ろう 無へと還ろう 無へと還ろう 傷つく事のない無へと還ろう…(リピート) 　 (日本語原詞:庵野秀明)	Fuan na no. Fuan na no. Minna ni kirawareru no ga, kowai. Jibun ga kizutsuku no ga, kowai. Demo, HITO o kizutsukeru no ga, motto kowai. Demo, kizutsukete shimau. Suki na HITO o kizutsukete shimau. Dakara, HITO o suki ni naranai. Dakara, jibun o kizutsukeru no. Kirai dakara. DaikKIRAI dakara. Suki ni natte wa, ikenai no. Dakara, jibun o kizutsukeru. Yasashisa wa totemo zankoku Kokoro o yudanetara, watashi wa kowarete shimau Kokoro ga fure-aeba, ano hito wa kizutsuku Dakara, watashi wa kowareru shika nai Mu e to kaeru shika nai Mu e to kaerou Mu e to kaerou Sore wa, yasashisa ni michi-michita tokoro Soko wa, shinjitsu no itami no nai tokoro Kokoro no yuragi no nai tokoro Mu e to kaerou Mu e to kaerou Tanin no inai mu e to kaerou Mu e to kaerou Mu e to kaerou Kizutsuku koto no nai mu e to kaerou...(RIPÎTO)	I'm uneasy. I'm uneasy. I'm afraid of being disliked by everyone. I'm afraid of being hurt. But I'm even more afraid of hurting other people. But I've already hurt them. I've already hurt the people who matter most to me. That's why I can't let myself like other people. That's why I hurt myself. And so, I am disliked. And so, I am hated. I mustn't let myself like anyone. That's why I hurt myself. Tenderness is the greatest cruelty If I entrust my heart to another, I'll be devastated in the end If another heart touches my own, that person will be hurt And so, I can only be devastated All I can do is return to nothing Let me return to nothing Let me return to nothing It is a place filled with tenderness A place without the pain of reality Where my heart will not tremble Let me return to nothing Let me return to nothing Where there is no one else, let me return to nothing Let me return to nothing Let me return to nothing Where nothing can hurt me, let me return to nothing...(REPEAT)

Translator's Notes

This translation is somewhat dated and needs a good look-over.

For an alternate take, see also Bochan_bird's literal translation. (Note that this contains a couple of technical errors; for example, he transliterates one line as "Kowai dakara" rather than "Kirai dakara", and translates accordingly.)

Notes

• The name "Komm, süsser Tod' was taken from Johann Sebastian Bach's "|Komm, süßer Tod, komm selge Ruh"
• Two versions exist: the "Director's Cut" used in Episode 26', and the version released on the single KIDA-155, in which the choir continues after the final chorus in broken, incoherent song.
• There is also another alternative song considered as "one other possibility along with" "KSD", "Everything You've Ever Dreamed". It was fully produced and also sung by Arianne, but was ultimately unused.
• The rhythm of the chorus is reminiscent of the second half of "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
• There is also a remix of the song called "Tumbling Down Remix" which was made for the album Evangelion VOX. The singer is Loren of LOREN & MASH, who also sang "Thanatos~If I Can't Be Yours~", the end credits song for Episode 25'. It is sung in a more cheerful manner, reminiscent of funk.
• The chiptune fan album "We Are (Not) Alone" final track, track 22 "“天”き死よ、来たれ", is an interpretation of "KsT".
• In January of 2012, Arianne, the artist who sang the song "Komm, susser Todd" announced on her Facebook page that she would be working on new versions of the song, along with a music video. Around the 20th of March, she posted that the song and video were finished recording and were in post-production.
• The site Komm Susser Tod 2012 was put up as a placeholder in mid-March of 2012; it now presents the finished song.
• Arianne, full name Arianne Schreiber, was born in South Africa and moved to England at the age of 19. She now lives in Australia.
• A flute version of the song can be heard during the credits of the anime short "Obake-chan" from the Japan Animator Expo.
• Initially, these songs were supposed to be sung by a "black female". Interestingly, producer Otsuki had indicated their decision on it being a gaijin early on.
• Arianne was a teenager when recording both songs. She was introduced to Sagisu by songwriter Rob Davis. At the time of recording, she was entirely unfamiliar with the series. She attempted to get in contact with khara to participate in the Rebuild of Evangelion films, but was unable to reach them.
• According to her Facebook page, Arianne was in Japan for three days to do recording on "Komm, süsser Tod" and "Everything You've Ever Dreamed". She said it was "amazing". She was also "honored to be a part of Evangelion".
• An Interview with Mike Wyzgowski on Cartoon Milk

Analysis

• Although the singer is a female, this song seems to be about Shinji's feelings once Third Impact occurs.

Audio Releases

Arranged Albums: Evangelion Symphony | Evangelion Vox | Evangelion Wind Symphony No.1 | Evangelion Wind Symphony No.2 | Evangelion PianoForte #1 | The world! Evangelion Jazz night =The Tokyo III Jazz club= | ShiroSAGISU OUTTAKES FROM EVANGELION (VOl.1) | Shin Godzilla vs Evangelion Symphony

Compilation Albums: The Day of Second Impact | Evangelion: The Birthday of Rei Ayanami | Refrain of Evangelion | Evangelion: Decade | Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack 25th Anniversary Box | Evangelion Finally

Soundtrack Albums: Neon Genesis Evangelion OST I | Neon Genesis Evangelion OST II | Neon Genesis Evangelion OST III | Evangelion Death | End of Evangelion (Soundtrack) | S² Works | Music from Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone | Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Original Soundtrack | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Original Soundtrack | Music from Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo | Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo Original Soundtrack | Music from "Shin Evangelion" Evangelion: 3.0+1.0

Studio Albums: Neon Genesis Evangelion Addition | Neon Genesis Evangelion Classical Volume | Refrain, The Songs Were Inspired by Evangelion | Evangelion Extreme

Theme Songs: A Cruel Angel's Thesis | Fly Me to the Moon | Soul's Refrain | Thanatos -If I can't be yours- | Komm, süsser Tod | Beautiful World | Sakura Nagashi | One Last Kiss

Other: After the End | Animate Voice Cassette