Asilos Magdalena

Asilos Magdalena

The Mars Volta

“Asilos Magdalena” is about the Magdalen Asylums, which were Roman Catholic institutions intended for the rehabilitation of “fallen women” in the 18th and 19th Century.

“Fallen women” was a popular term in the 19th-century to describe prostitutes, women with mental health issues women with a child out of wedlock, or any women perceived to be a witch.

A connotative theme in this song is the relationship of one of the women in the asylum with demonic forces and demonic possession.