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 lights
screams of terror
pain and fear
sounds 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 ok?
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 recurring nightmare haunting my dreams.
how can you prepare for what would happen 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
				

since the new world order
played upon our fears
spreading accusations
of radical ideas

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 corner stone
a rite of passage

men of wealth and power
influence and fame
philosophers and leaders
all members of the trade

bound by oath and honor
like the rose and cross
an enigmatic union
of esoteric thought

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 corner stone
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
where new life has begun
a rite of passage
				

it burns deep down inside of me,
we have ourselves to blame.
not questioning, accepted as the truth.

debate this faggots just cause,
the facts do not support theirs.
to liberate a people,
and with them (...)

is it time to make the change,
are we closer than before,
can we help them break away,
are we profiting from war ?
it's time to make the change.

catch your attention,
since the exception,
fight for a reason,
can we clean up this mess,
the loss of loved one's ignorance (...)
they ...
these derelicts that ... win or lose.

is it time to make a change,
are we closer than before,
can we help them break away,

are we profiting from war ?
it's time to make a change.

the only thing that i believe
will help us see this through is faith.
pray they will forgive,
forgive our arrogance,
so we can make it right,
right for they have wronged.

is it time to make a change,
are we closer than before,
can we help them break away,
are we profiting from war ?

is it time to make a change,
are we closer than before,
can we help them break away,
are we profiting from war,
is it time to make a change ?

a change ...
can we help them break away,
is our patience wearing thin ?
it's time to make a change.
				

let it out, let it out
feel 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 this 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 the 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

so 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
				

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 recall
a cannibal curator
a character inspired by my brother's life

winding through the hills
the 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 want to stay alive
everything about this place
just doesn't feel right
i
i don't want to die

suddenly i'm frightened for my life

i want to 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 candle light

the peering through the glass
i saw with belief
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

where 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 want to stay alive
everything about this place
just doesn't feel right
i
i don't want to die
suddenly i'm frightened for my life

i want to 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

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
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...
				

Lost in the shy
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Arrows fly
Seas increase and then fall again

This world is spinning around me
This world is spinning without me
Every day sends future to past
Every breath leaves me one less to my last

Watch the sparrow falling
Gives new meaning to it all
If not today nor yet tomorrow then some other day

I'll take seven lives for on
And then my only father's son
As sure as I did ever love him
I am not afraid

This world is spinning around me
The whole world keeps spinning around me
All life is future to past
Every breath leaves me one less to my last

Pull me under Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
All that I feel is honor and spite
All I can do is set it right

Dust fills my eyes
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Centuries cry
Orders fly and I fall again

This world is spinning inside me
The whole world is spinning inside of me
Every day sends future to past
Every step brings me closer to my last

Pull me under Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
Living my life too much in the sun
Only until your will is done
					

The smile of dawn
Arrived early May
She carried a gift from her home
The night shed a tear
To tell her of fear
And of sorrow and pain
She'll never outgrow

Death is the first dance, eternal

There's no more freedom
The both of you will be confined to this mind

I was told there's a miracle for each day that I try
I was told there's a new love that' born for each one that has died
I was told there'd be no one to call on when I feel alone and afraid
I was told if you dream of the next world
You'll find yourself swimming in a lake of fire

As a child, I thought I could live without pain withpout sorrow
As a man I've found it's all caught up with me
I'm asleep yet I'm so afraid

Somewhere like a scene of a memory
There's a picture worth a thousand words
Eluding stares from faces before me
It hides away and will never be heard of again

Deceit in the second without end

The city's cold blood teaches us to survive
Just keep my heart in your eyes and we'll stay alive

The third arrives...

Before the leaves have fallen
Before we lock the doors
There must be the third and last dance
This one will last forever
Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles
She's taken you to your home

It can only take place
When the struggle between our children has ended
Now the miracle and the sleeper know that the third is love

Love is the Dance of Eternity