Just finished watching Elfen Lied and can’t get this cover of Lilium off of my mind

Ah, Lilium. Such an amazing opening. The lyrics are from prayers if I recall correctly, and they're great too. Here's some handmade translation:

The mouth of the just will practice wisdom / and his tongue will utter judgement. / Blessed the man who endures temptation / Since, as he's being tested, he'll take the crown of life. // O Lord, source of virtue / O Lord, divine fire, be merciful // Oh, how holy, how serene, how kind / how lovely the virgin is believed to be. // Oh, how holy, how serene, how kind / how lovely, oh chastity lily

(note: I'm translating "Kyrie" and "eleison" as "o Lord" and "be merciful" respectively, but the expression itself has deeper meaning in liturgy, due to the frequent usage. Refer to this.)

The manga is tragic and strange too, just like the anime. Okamoto Lynn always write weird but awesome stuff. However the manga contextualises better the struggle between humans and the diclonii and, more importantly - it delivers better the theme questions:

• what exactly is a human being? what is a monster? Hard to say when both behave the same - sometimes being scum, sometimes being supportive, sometimes even sacrificing oneself for the sake of the others.
• the old (but still valid) nature vs. nurture debate. How much is a monster born like one, and how much does society make one out of it?

I really enjoyed the anime !

I really enjoyed Elfen Lied back when I watched it. Even though it never really captured me again after that gruesome opening episode. Lilium is such a haunting OP, but then its contrast to the poppy ED is such a perfect microcosm of the show's wackyness.

It's been ages since I watched Elfen Lied and I still remember it and Lilium very vividly. A wonderful song. I have never found any similar OST in any other anime.