Band: Dream Theater
Album: Black Clouds And Silver Linings
Release Date: 23 June 2009
Album: Black Clouds And Silver Linings
Release Date: 23 June 2009
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Roadrunner Records
Artwork by: Hugh Syme
Producer: Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci
- Line Up CD: from left -
Artwork by: Hugh Syme
Producer: Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci
* John Petrucci: Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Jordan Rudess: Keyboards
* Jordan Rudess: Keyboards
* James LaBrie: Lead Vocal
* John Myung: Bass Guitar
* John Myung: Bass Guitar
* Mike Portnoy: Drums, Backing Vocals
 |
(United States: Long Island, New York)   |
01. A Nightmare To Remember - Lyrics:
A nightmare to remember, I'd never be the same
What began as laughter so soon would turn to pain
The sky was clear and frigid, the air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget and I bet I never will
Picture for a moment the perfect irony
A flawless new beginning eclipsed by tragedy
The uninvited stranger started dancing on his own
So we said goodbye to the glowing bride
And we made our way back home
Life was so simple then, we were so innocent
Father and mother holding each other
Without warning out of nowhere
Like a bullet from the night
Crushing glass, rubber and steel
Scorching fire, glowing light
Screams of terror, pain of fear
Sound of sirens, smoke in my eyes
Sudden stillness, blackened silence
No more screaming, no more cries
Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid
Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed
Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid
Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed
Lying on the table in this unfamiliar place
I'm greeted by a stranger, a man without a face
He said, "Son, do you remember?
Do you even know your name?"
Then he shined a light into my eyes
And said, "Take this for the pain"
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation I lay half awake
And all of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
"Tell me does this hurt you?", said the faceless man
Can you move all of your fingers?
Can you try your best to stand?
I asked about the others, is everyone okay?
He told me not to worry as he turned and looked away
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation I lay half awake
And all of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
Day after day and night after night
Replaying the events, did they ever see the red light?
Over and over, scene by scene
Like a reoccurring nightmare haunting my dreams
How can you prepare for what would happened next?
No son should ever have to see his father such a mess
It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died
By the grace of God above everyone survived
Life was so simple then, we were so innocent
It will stay with us forever, a nightmare to remember.
A nightmare to remember, I'd never be the same
What began as laughter so soon would turn to pain
The sky was clear and frigid, the air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget and I bet I never will
Picture for a moment the perfect irony
A flawless new beginning eclipsed by tragedy
The uninvited stranger started dancing on his own
So we said goodbye to the glowing bride
And we made our way back home
Life was so simple then, we were so innocent
Father and mother holding each other
Without warning out of nowhere
Like a bullet from the night
Crushing glass, rubber and steel
Scorching fire, glowing light
Screams of terror, pain of fear
Sound of sirens, smoke in my eyes
Sudden stillness, blackened silence
No more screaming, no more cries
Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid
Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed
Stunned and bewildered, cold and afraid
Torn up and broken, frightened and dazed
Lying on the table in this unfamiliar place
I'm greeted by a stranger, a man without a face
He said, "Son, do you remember?
Do you even know your name?"
Then he shined a light into my eyes
And said, "Take this for the pain"
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation I lay half awake
And all of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
"Tell me does this hurt you?", said the faceless man
Can you move all of your fingers?
Can you try your best to stand?
I asked about the others, is everyone okay?
He told me not to worry as he turned and looked away
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation I lay half awake
And all of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
Day after day and night after night
Replaying the events, did they ever see the red light?
Over and over, scene by scene
Like a reoccurring nightmare haunting my dreams
How can you prepare for what would happened next?
No son should ever have to see his father such a mess
It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died
By the grace of God above everyone survived
Life was so simple then, we were so innocent
It will stay with us forever, a nightmare to remember.
02. A Rite Of Passage - Lyrics:
This is the new world order, plague upon our peers
Spreading accusations of radical fears
The brotherhood of wisdom, strength and dignity
Its rituals and secrets remain a mystery
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone, a rite of passage
Men of wealth and power, influence and fame
Philosophers and leaders are members of the trade
Bound by oath and honor like the rose and cross
An enigmatic union of esoteric thought
Beneath the ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone, a rite of passage
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The seven stars, the rising sun
A perfect world, a new life has begun, a rite of passage.
This is the new world order, plague upon our peers
Spreading accusations of radical fears
The brotherhood of wisdom, strength and dignity
Its rituals and secrets remain a mystery
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone, a rite of passage
Men of wealth and power, influence and fame
Philosophers and leaders are members of the trade
Bound by oath and honor like the rose and cross
An enigmatic union of esoteric thought
Beneath the ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone, a rite of passage
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The seven stars, the rising sun
A perfect world, a new life has begun, a rite of passage.
03. Wither - Lyrics:
Let it out, let it out, fill the empty space
So insecure find the words and let it out
Staring down, staring down, nothing comes to mind
Find the place turn the water into wine
But I feel I'm getting nowhere
And I'll never see the end
So I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
Turn it on, turn it on, let the feelings flow
Close your eyes, see the ones you used to know
Open up, open up, don't struggle to relate
Lure it out, help the memory escape
Still barrenness consumes me
And I feel like giving up
So I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away
Like reflections on the page
The world's what you create
I drown in hesitation, my words come crashing down
And all my best creations burn into the ground
The thought of starting over leaves me paralyzed
Tear it out again, another one that got away
I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away
Like reflections on the page
The world's what you create
The world's what you create
Let it out, let it out.
Let it out, let it out, fill the empty space
So insecure find the words and let it out
Staring down, staring down, nothing comes to mind
Find the place turn the water into wine
But I feel I'm getting nowhere
And I'll never see the end
So I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
Turn it on, turn it on, let the feelings flow
Close your eyes, see the ones you used to know
Open up, open up, don't struggle to relate
Lure it out, help the memory escape
Still barrenness consumes me
And I feel like giving up
So I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away
Like reflections on the page
The world's what you create
I drown in hesitation, my words come crashing down
And all my best creations burn into the ground
The thought of starting over leaves me paralyzed
Tear it out again, another one that got away
I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I wither and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I breakdown and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away
Like reflections on the page
The world's what you create
The world's what you create
Let it out, let it out.
04. The Shattered Fortress - Lyrics:
Freedom calls my name, serenity keeps me sane
Happiness it dulls the pain
Honest to see my place, open to other ways
Willingness to understand
Justice but do not judge, courtesy for other flaws
Kindness it's not that hard
Self-restraint of tongue and pen, inventory my daily friend
Analysis, let down your guard
Look in the mirror, what do you see?
The shattered fortress that once bound me
Fateful ascent through darkest fires
I've found the path to take me higher
You're smart enough for me to trust, go live your life now
Just keep these steps in your life and you'll know how
If you're not sure ask yourself
Have I done to them as I would have them do to me?
Look in the mirror, what's that you see?
The shattered fortress, fly now be free
Fateful ascent through darkest fires
I've found the path to take me higher
I once thought it better to be right
But now I have finally seen the light
Sometimes you've got to be wrong and learn from mistakes
I live with serenity now not self-righteous hate
Help me be a channel of Thy peace
That where there is hatred I may bring love
That where there is wrong I may bring the spirit of forgiveness
That where there is discord I may bring harmony
That where there is error I may bring truth
That where there is doubt I may bring faith
Now that you can see all you have done
That where there is despair I may bring hope
That where there is shadow I may bring light
It's time to take that step into the kingdom
That where there is sadness I may bring joy
All your sins will help to make you strong
That I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted
That I may seek to understand rather than to be understood
And help you break right through the prison wall
That I may seek to love, rather than to be loved
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven
Keep all of me, the desires that once burned me deep inside
Help me live today and help to give me grace to carry out your way
I am ready, help me be all I can be
I am ready, help guide me and keep me free
I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help
I want my hand to be there
I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help
I want my hand to be there.
Freedom calls my name, serenity keeps me sane
Happiness it dulls the pain
Honest to see my place, open to other ways
Willingness to understand
Justice but do not judge, courtesy for other flaws
Kindness it's not that hard
Self-restraint of tongue and pen, inventory my daily friend
Analysis, let down your guard
Look in the mirror, what do you see?
The shattered fortress that once bound me
Fateful ascent through darkest fires
I've found the path to take me higher
You're smart enough for me to trust, go live your life now
Just keep these steps in your life and you'll know how
If you're not sure ask yourself
Have I done to them as I would have them do to me?
Look in the mirror, what's that you see?
The shattered fortress, fly now be free
Fateful ascent through darkest fires
I've found the path to take me higher
I once thought it better to be right
But now I have finally seen the light
Sometimes you've got to be wrong and learn from mistakes
I live with serenity now not self-righteous hate
Help me be a channel of Thy peace
That where there is hatred I may bring love
That where there is wrong I may bring the spirit of forgiveness
That where there is discord I may bring harmony
That where there is error I may bring truth
That where there is doubt I may bring faith
Now that you can see all you have done
That where there is despair I may bring hope
That where there is shadow I may bring light
It's time to take that step into the kingdom
That where there is sadness I may bring joy
All your sins will help to make you strong
That I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted
That I may seek to understand rather than to be understood
And help you break right through the prison wall
That I may seek to love, rather than to be loved
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven
Keep all of me, the desires that once burned me deep inside
Help me live today and help to give me grace to carry out your way
I am ready, help me be all I can be
I am ready, help guide me and keep me free
I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help
I want my hand to be there
I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help
I want my hand to be there.
05. The Best Of Times - Lyrics:
Remember days of yesterday how it flew so fast
The two score and a year we had I thought would always last
Those summer days and west coast dreams I wished would never end
A young boy and his father, idol and best friend
I'll always remember, those were the best of times
A life time together, I'll never forget
The morning shows on the radio, the Case of the Missing Dog
Lying on the pillows at the old 812 watching Harold and Maude
The record shops, the stick ball fields, my home away from home
And when we weren't together, the hours on the phone
I'll always remember, those were the best of times
I'll cherish them forever, the best of times
But then came the call, our lives changed forever more
You can pray for a change but prepare for the end
The fleeting winds of time flying through each day
All the things I should've done but time just slipped away
Remember seize the day
Life goes by in the blink of an eye with so much left to say
These were the best of times, I'll miss these days
Your spirit lit my life each day
Thank you for the inspiration, thank you for the smiles
All the unconditional love that carried me for miles
It carried me for miles
But most of all thank you for my life
These were the best of times, I'll miss these days
Your spirit lit my life each day
My heart is bleeding bad but I'll be okay
Your spirit guides my life each day.
Remember days of yesterday how it flew so fast
The two score and a year we had I thought would always last
Those summer days and west coast dreams I wished would never end
A young boy and his father, idol and best friend
I'll always remember, those were the best of times
A life time together, I'll never forget
The morning shows on the radio, the Case of the Missing Dog
Lying on the pillows at the old 812 watching Harold and Maude
The record shops, the stick ball fields, my home away from home
And when we weren't together, the hours on the phone
I'll always remember, those were the best of times
I'll cherish them forever, the best of times
But then came the call, our lives changed forever more
You can pray for a change but prepare for the end
The fleeting winds of time flying through each day
All the things I should've done but time just slipped away
Remember seize the day
Life goes by in the blink of an eye with so much left to say
These were the best of times, I'll miss these days
Your spirit lit my life each day
Thank you for the inspiration, thank you for the smiles
All the unconditional love that carried me for miles
It carried me for miles
But most of all thank you for my life
These were the best of times, I'll miss these days
Your spirit lit my life each day
My heart is bleeding bad but I'll be okay
Your spirit guides my life each day.
06. The Count Of Tuscany - Lyrics:
Several years ago in a foreign town
Far away from home I met the Count of Tuscany
A young eccentric man bred from royal blood
Took me for a ride across the open countryside
Get into my car, let's go for a drive
Along the way I'll be your guide, just step inside
Maybe you'll recall a cannibal curator
A character inspired by my brother's life
Winding through the hills, city far behind
On and on we drove down narrow streets and dusty roads
At last we came upon a picturesque estate
On sprawling emerald fields, an ancient world of times gone by
Let me introduce my brother
A bearded gentleman, historian
Sucking on his pipe, distinguished accent
Making me uptight, no accident
I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
I, I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life
I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive
I, I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived
Would you like to see our secret holy place?
I come here late at night to pray to him by candlelight
Then peering through the glass I saw with disbelief
Still dressed in royal clothes the saint behind the altar
History recalls during times of war
Legend has been traced back inside these castle walls
The soldiers came to hide in barrels filled with wine
Never to escape, these tombs of oak are where they died
Down the cellar stairs I disappear
Like the angel's share the end is near
Come and have a taste, a rare vintage
All the finest wines improve with age
I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
I, I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life
I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive
I, I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived
Could this be the end? Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone, no one by my side
I don't understand, I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong? I just don't understand
I just don't understand
Give me one more chance, let me please explain
It's all been circumstance, I'll tell you once again
You took me for a ride promising a vast adventure
The next thing that I know I'm frightened for my life
Now wait a minute man, that's not how it is
You must be confused, that isn't who I am
Please don't be afraid, I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live strange although it seems please try to forgive
The chapel and the saint, the soldiers and the wine
The fables and the tales all handed down through time
Of course you're free to go, go and tell the world my story
Tell about my brother, tell them about me, the Count of Tuscany.
Several years ago in a foreign town
Far away from home I met the Count of Tuscany
A young eccentric man bred from royal blood
Took me for a ride across the open countryside
Get into my car, let's go for a drive
Along the way I'll be your guide, just step inside
Maybe you'll recall a cannibal curator
A character inspired by my brother's life
Winding through the hills, city far behind
On and on we drove down narrow streets and dusty roads
At last we came upon a picturesque estate
On sprawling emerald fields, an ancient world of times gone by
Let me introduce my brother
A bearded gentleman, historian
Sucking on his pipe, distinguished accent
Making me uptight, no accident
I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
I, I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life
I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive
I, I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived
Would you like to see our secret holy place?
I come here late at night to pray to him by candlelight
Then peering through the glass I saw with disbelief
Still dressed in royal clothes the saint behind the altar
History recalls during times of war
Legend has been traced back inside these castle walls
The soldiers came to hide in barrels filled with wine
Never to escape, these tombs of oak are where they died
Down the cellar stairs I disappear
Like the angel's share the end is near
Come and have a taste, a rare vintage
All the finest wines improve with age
I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
I, I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life
I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive
I, I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived
Could this be the end? Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone, no one by my side
I don't understand, I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong? I just don't understand
I just don't understand
Give me one more chance, let me please explain
It's all been circumstance, I'll tell you once again
You took me for a ride promising a vast adventure
The next thing that I know I'm frightened for my life
Now wait a minute man, that's not how it is
You must be confused, that isn't who I am
Please don't be afraid, I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live strange although it seems please try to forgive
The chapel and the saint, the soldiers and the wine
The fables and the tales all handed down through time
Of course you're free to go, go and tell the world my story
Tell about my brother, tell them about me, the Count of Tuscany.
