Marduk - Death march

Marduk - Death march - Plague Angel (2004)

The lyrics are just a few latin lines:

Quod fuimus, estis, quod sumus, eritis.
Quod fuimus, estis, quod sumus, eritis.
Vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas.
Memento mori, memento mori.
Nemo ante morten beatus dici potest.
Memento mori, memento mori.

What we were, you are (now), what we are, you'll be.
What we were, you are (now), what we are, you'll be.
Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless!
Remember you must die, remember you must die.
Noboby can be called happy before his death
Remember you must die, remember you must die.

The line vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas is a quote from the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes 1:2. Later, this quote as well as memento mori, was an important motto during the baroque era (about 1600-1700 a.d.). In view of the Thiry Years' War and plagues the people reminded themselfs that just a few things, like the faith and the soul, remain eternally. All the other "important" aspects like wealth, beauty or possessions have to decay sooner or later.

The line nemo ante mortem beatus dici potest is said to be the answer of the wise man Solon, who was asked by the Lydian king Croesus if he - because of his wealth - is the happiest man on earth...