Dream Theater - The Astonishing Album Lyrics

---

The Gift Of Music

Far in the distant future
Beyond the pages of our time.
Cold blooded wicked tyrants
Threaten the freedom of mankind.

Corruption, lust, and greed,
defy the new nobility
Changing the course of history.

Across the vast North Empire
Most people struggle to survive.
Living a meek existence
Where they're secludedly oppressed.

We are living day to day
Forced to bear the lion's share
People just don't have the time for music any more.
And no one seems to care

My friends have seen the chosen one
A quest for freedom has begun
He will be the answer to our prayers

There walks a god among us
Who's seen the writing on the wall.

He is the revolution
He'll be the one to save us all.

My brother Gabriel, is all the hope we need.
Shining like a beacon in the night.
Should give Ravenskill a reason to believe
Music is the gift he brings
The sun bursts isolation when he sings.

---

The Answer

I don't pretend to have the answer
Never said I have the key
But somehow they see, a light inside of me
Am I not the man who I was meant to be

As the people gather round me
I never felt so all alone
Is this the chance to be someone
My moment in the sun
Why am I afraid of facing the unknown

They are finding faith in me
And they believe
I'm the one
To set them free

---

A Better Life

"Attention, battalion!
To rank right, face!
Forward, march!"

As fearless leader of the Ravenskill Militia
The blood of warriors flows throughout my veins
My brother's gift remains my secret ammunition
It is our hope, our pride, a catalyst for change
Still the fires of revolution burn within my eyes
On this perilous road to freedom, he's our one and only guide

For many years, I've seen
Our people starve and suffer
How many more will die before we stand and fight?

They ask me "Arhys, could things be any tougher?"
The answer's no surprise: "Yes, you bet your life".
Now the fires of revolution won't burn forever more
I see liberty in our future, and it's one we're fighting for

We all long for a better life
Like a dream that can't be denied
This is the moment, now is the time
Freedom if we live or if we die

I shall give him a better life
I swore this vow to my dying wife
Sure, she would not survive
Peacefully she slipped away
The meaning in my life
Was born that day
And so I found the strength to carry on with this crusade
It is my fate.

Evangeline, you lived a life of misery and pain
Evangeline, I'll never let your memory die in vain
Evangeline, my heavy heart still bleeds
I dedicate my life to set you free
And I will carry on to plant the seeds
I promise in the name of our new son;
This battle won't be over until it's won!

---

Lord Nafaryus

How the rumours are spreading like vines
Of a man who has been glorified
News finds its way to the Empire one day
Where the envious ruler resides

Should I fall for the stories I hear?
Is he really a threat I should fear?
Such a foolish young man
Doesn't seem to understand
So let me be perfectly clear

He may have them inspired
Eating out of his hands
But he'll never be ruler of this land

For myself I must see
What the hype is about
I admit I'm intrigued

I've heard the whispering of revolution
I know the aim of your plan
You'll think with certainty, it's the solution
And put your faith in one man

His decision is made
So his journey begins
Up to the edge of the realm
To meet the savior

In the coming days
They'll announce His Grace
And he'll ask to be amazed

As a symbol of power and might
It will make for a breathtaking sight
In a massive display, with his family and guards by his side

Arabelle, who means the world to me
A loyal son, my heir, your future king
And Faythe, I treasure more than all the diamonds in my crown
It isn't hard to see, I couldn't be more proud

Into the far-out reaches of the land
To witness this great spectacle first-hand
Is Gabriel the god he claims to be?
I guess we'll see...
Yes, we shall see.

---

A Savior In The Square

We have come to hear him sing
To see this gift your savior brings

Our crowd has grown, and all mesmerized
But silence quickly falls as Lord Nafaryus arrives

"Please don't stop on my account,
Show us what we heard so much about?
In peace, we gather here today."

Don't make him ask again
Do as my father says!

Brother, worry not, today
I will share my music, and they will soon be on their way
They only know the noise machines
So I'll treat them all to sonic ecstasy

Never in my dreams could I deserve
To ever see a vision quite like her
Then unexpectedly
I'm taken by surprise
An angel just appeared before my...

---

When Your Time Has Come

...eyes [continued from A Savior In The Square]

When your time has come
And you're looking toward the light
All that really matters
Is what you leave behind

So let your heart be free
Keep your spirit burning bright
Set down the stones you carry
Take the weight off your mind
When you're facing the path that divides
Know that I will be there by your side
Find your strength in the sound of my voice
And you'll know which choice is right

In this fleeting life
We can sometimes lose our way
But night is always darkest just before the new day

When you're facing the path that divides
Know that I will be there by your side
Find your strength in the sound of my voice
And you'll know which choice is right

This very moment
Was always meant to be
I never noticed
But all at once I see

On the worst of days when I felt most alone
With no one to share the secret that I hide
I grew numb to all the emptiness inside
But now I've found my home

---

Act Of Faythe

I never knew they spent their days in rags
While I enjoy the life they'll never have
Yet deep within their eyes
Hope still survives
And they don't seem to think this world's so bad

Even as they gather in the square
They know that a better life exists out there
With unity and pride
Faith stays alive
How can I pretend that I don't care?
I have always felt alone
Living like a stranger inside of my own home
Maybe now's the time to greet the winds of change
Could my destiny be right in front of me?

As a child behind the palace walls
Often times I'd search its secret halls
And hope that I would find
A treasure cast aside
I came upon the greatest gift of all

My music player
My private paradise
My music player
A refuge I must hide
And lost at sea forever,
I drifted far away

Now finally for the first time I know
I've found my way
Found my way

---

Three Days

The admiration
The applause
And the cheers
I am impressed
You brought us all to tears

To think I didn't notice
The way you looked at her
Now step down from your throne
And let me bring you back to the earth

Need I remind you
I am the ruler here
Don't overlook that fact
Swearing allegiance
To anyone but me
No, I won't put up with that

High and protected, send him away
I'll never play this game
Stand by your savior, one thing remains
I'll find him just the same

Brace yourself
Bow down to Nafaryus
Pray for help
Kneel before Nafaryus

He'll surrender on his own
If not, there'll be hell to pay
I'll tear down the city stone by stone
You only have three days
Laughter

Send home the rebels, call off the fight
In no uncertain terms
Should you refuse me, fear for your lives
Ravenskill shall burn

Brace yourself
Bow down to Nafaryus
Pray for help
Kneel before Nafaryus

With this frightening decree
Nafaryus departs
They're left to weigh the gravity
Of his threatening remarks

Judgement day will soon arrive
In only three days' time
Will Gabriel get out of this alive?
This remains the question on their minds

---

Brother, Can You Hear Me?

Brother, can you hear me?
Your life is in my hands
I will not surrender, never yield to his demands
If we stand together, we will never fall
Brother, we're the answer to your call

Brother, can you hear me?
You must not be afraid
I will march beside you
Have no fear
Be strong
Be brave

We sing this song for freedom
Our voices will resound
Brother, we will never let you down

On the road to revolution
We're bound to make mistakes
There's a price that we must pay
For every choice we make

Freedom is the reason
To stand up or give in
But someone has to lose
And someone has to win

Brother, can you hear me?
I am not afraid
I will not forsake you
I'll be strong and I'll be brave

I sing the song for freedom
My courage knows no bounds
Brother, know I stand on solid ground
Brother, I will never let you down
Never let you down

---

A Life Left Behind

I never knew someone was out there
A long way from nowhere
Who could open my eyes

All this time while I'm sleeping
The world changed around me
Now I've never felt more alive

I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up

Faythe found the way
To bring them together
Once and forever
And won't let them go

Nothing I say
Can keep her from leaving
Her life has a meaning
I lost her a long time ago

I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up

I'm waking up
Now that yesterday's gone
Won't close my eyes again
I'm waking up
I plan to return well-disguised
Make sure that I'm not recognized
Tomorrow a new sun will rise
And somehow I'll find you

Nothing will stand in my way
Soon I will see you again

I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up

I'm waking up
(I'm waking up)
Now that yesterday's gone
(Now that yesterday's gone)
I won't close my eyes
(I will never look back)
I'm waking up

You'll be her shadow as she moves, my son
But she can never know of it
She is alone and rebels are everywhere

I'll keep her safe from all danger
Won't let her out of my sight
Did I fail to mention my honest intentions?
This is the chance I deserve

Heed my words
Justice will be served.

---

Ravenskill

Morning breaks
Beyond the night
If she is worlds away

Through crowded streets
This quiet hooded stranger makes her break

"Please excuse me;
Sir, can you help me?
Where can I find this man?"
"Sorry, can't speak, someone is waiting"
"Yes, I understand."

As her will starts to fade
And all but disappears
Like a ghost, suddenly a boy standing there
And all is clear
"I'm your friend, trust me, don't be scared.
I am looking for your father, and I promise I can help.
Now take my hand, we haven't time to spare."

Hopeful and innocent
Sensing no danger
He sees humanity
Behind the stranger's eyes

Her true identity
Will be revealed when she sheds her disguise

My intentions are faithful
There's a chance we can still end this game
I'd be forever grateful
To see him once again

"You dare to stand
before my eyes!
You're one of them
Why would I trust you?"

"It's not like that!
I can't go back
Hope fades away with each passing second"

Lost in this moment
Is where I want to stay
This can't be broken
We need to find a way

Gabriel, I would wait a lifetime
Just to see your face
But all we have is one more day

I remember your father was moved by my song
I know when he sees we're united, then he'll understand
We will walk this road together
We will face this hand in hand
With music and love on our side
We can't lose this fight

Tomorrow our dream comes alive
Comes alive

---

Chosen

Her words ring true, her message clear
How can he hear through all the noise and dissonance?

I've seen a sign
That he can change
If given just a chance

Against all hope
We found a way
And it is all because she trusted me
Why have a gift
You can't embrace
When all you need is faith

And there's a reason, now I see
The reason I've been chosen
She sees the light inside of me
A reason to believe

But I can't climb this mountain without you
No, I can't face this on my own
With you by my side, we will open his eyes
And the truth will deliver us home

And there's a reason, now I see
The path that he has chosen
He feels the light inside of me
In the absence of song
He's forgotten right from wrong

Our voices will release him
He's refused to listen for too long
I'm convinced beyond a doubt
There can be no other way
He just has to hear me out
There's so much I need to say

But I can't climb this mountain without you
No, I can't face this on my own
With you by my side
We will open his eyes
And the truth will deliver us home

---

A Tempting Offer

Trustful boy
Unaware who's watching
Open the door
I am right behind you

Don't resist me child
There's no use in fighting
We'll be here a while
Do you recognize me?

Look into my eyes
I'm the face of freedom
When daddy does arrive
He's in for a surprise

How dare you step inside my home?
(His life is in my hands!)
You monster, leave my son alone
(You do know who I am?)
Your love will keep me strong
(He's just a boy, he's done no wrong!)
This fight's not his to lose
(I have everything you want!)
Your next decision will decide his fate
So listen to the words I have to say

Give up the Chosen One
And you will guarantee your son
Lives the life you never had

Wealth and prosperity
Beyond what you have ever seen
And best of all, Xander will be free

He'll never want again
It's such an easy choice
Just think about your son

And I won't have to stand
In Faythe's dark shadow anymore
I am through with being pushed aside
Tired of fighting for my father's pride
Take an evening to decide.

---

The X Aspect

Betrayed my blood
To save my son
A hopeless choice to make
But who am I, if not the one who's meant to keep him safe?

Is trust and loyalty still justified,
If I deny him of a better life?

Gabriel has always been
The strength I call upon

But nothing breaks
A father's will
To do what must be done
Should I turn my back on him,
Abandon all our plans for revolution?

Where hope and freedom die by morning light
Evangeline, I swore to you to love and guide our son
Destiny has shown its face, and now the time has come

Desperation blinds me
And through these blood-stained eyes I see the light
A better life is worth this sacrifice

---

A New Beginning

Father, I implore you
Don't believe a word
He is not the enemy
That is just absurd

You may see his talent
As some kind of threat
But I knew we were meant to be
From the day we met

Give us both a chance
For a new beginning
Nothing would mean more to me

He is just a man
Can't you show him mercy
Sympathy and strength go hand in hand

This man's a fraud and hoax
He'll only shatter your hopes
Saddest of all is to watch
how you fall for this person who you hardly know

Ignorant, stubborn
You have no respect
Not just for her flesh and blood
That I knew you'd protect

Listen without judgement
Keep an open mind
If you cannot see the truth
You're the one who's blind

We don't stand a chance
That is his opinion
Mother, can you talk to him?

Try to understand
How they must be feeling
Misery's to know what might have been

Why would I ever concede
To listen to this fool
How can you be so naive?

You must be living in a world of make-believe
Do you really think this charlatan is who he claims to be?

Not long ago there was a time and place
You two possess the same desires as Faythe
You knew how it felt to feel invisible
Music calmed your soul, just like a drug
Remember, Bug?

Father is it true,
Bug was always you?
Finally I can reveal, how music makes me feel

Now you understand
Why I was hiding
This changes everything

I would like a chance
For a new beginning
In the end the final word
Is with me

---

The Road To Revolution

He only sees what he desires to see
It took a while but finally he agreed
Though everything did not turn out as planned
If life's a risk
It's worth a chance
I know where there is faith
There's always hope

They'll meet beneath the stars at Heaven's Cove
The ghosts of yesterday
Once filled the lavish stage
Taking our first step down a new road

Arhys' time is running out
What will your decision be?
If you still have any doubt
Think about Evangeline

On the road to revolution
Our salvation's never free
There's a price for liberation
When you stand for your beliefs

When the man in the mirror
Takes a long, hard look at me
Will the person staring back
Be the man I want to be

Change my mind
A waste of time
For soon he will be mine
Open eyes
Help me see which choice
Is right

---

Moment Of Betrayal

Brace yourself, my brother
I have breaking news
The Noise Machines lie still tonight
There's no time to lose
No more threats of bloodshed
No more pain and fear
Ravenskill will brave the storm
Our victory is near

You are acting very strange
Nervous and on edge
I will be a voice for change
Brother give me strength

Burning rose, secrets sold
Moment of Betrayal
Kiss of death, blood revenge
Moment of betrayal

I have sworn to live and die
By the warrior's code
Never leave a man behind
May God redeem my soul
I will give you what you need
My brother for my son
Guilt and shame will burden me
Until my days are done

Meet me tonight where the stars touch the sky
He'll be alone there with nowhere to hide

Burning rose, secrets sold
Moment of Betrayal
Kiss of death, blood revenge
Moment of betrayal

He will be defenseless
I'll look on, say I put up a fight
There will be no witness
They will call you a hero tonight

Burning rose, secrets sold
Moment of Betrayal
Kiss of death, blood revenge
Moment of Betrayal
Threats and lies, changing sides
Moment of betrayal
Risking all, savior's fall
Moment of betrayal

---

Heaven's Cove

Under the glow of the midnight moon
Where the stars touch the sky
Stand the long forgotten names of a time gone by

Heaven's Cove was a wondrous sight
Once a beautiful place
Now an empty shell, like a memory that time erased

As the pivotal moment draws closer
Every shadow and whisper at night
Music will rise like a phoenix from the ashes on this night

---

Begin Again

I gave up hope
Was dead inside
Stayed lost within a world I chose to hide
Then I found my faith in him
And now I can
Begin again
I once believed

Our fate was sealed
But now at last, the truth has been revealed
In an instant
Life could change
And now and then begin again
I know that I am meant for something more

That life beyond these walls
Has greater things in store
When I heard his voice, I realized

I'd never be the same
Instantly I knew my life had changed
I dream of peace

Above all else
To share a world where we could be ourselves
We must learn to rise above the past
Before we can at last
Begin again

---

The Path That Divides

The evening stars shine brightly
Over Heaven's Cove
As night descends in silence
The faded scene unfolds

Consumed with trepidation
Arhys hears his brother's voice

"As you're facing the path that divides
I will always be here by your side"

I feel my pulse begin to raise
Beads of sweat drop down my face
I have made a grave mistake
What have I done
My blood for my son

It's not too late
I won't betray him

I knew the day had come
And you could be tempted
To give up the Chosen One
And finally end this
Do anything for your son
A terminal weakness
Now you're as good as done

I didn't have a choice
And I was defenseless
I didn't believe his voice
The fighting was senseless
But now I can see the truth
I've got to my senses
I shouldn't have trusted you

Arhys was never aware
His son had followed them there
Confused and deathly afraid

X watched his hero be brave.
On the path that divides
You were there by my side
There will be no betrayal tonight

I've found courage and strength
In the words you once sang
Taunting truth from the lies on the path that divides

You dare defy the prince?
Well you just threw your life away
Along with Xander's dreams
You chose the wrong man to betray

Two holy warriors clash in the shadows of the night
But that's the cost with every fight
And Arhys' fight for her
Cost him his very life

---

The Walking Shadow

What have you done?
(You murderer!)
My father is dead
(Your day will come!)

Don't hold your breath
The night's still young
Confront your death
Like father, like son

Who's this I see,
Approaching me?
The Chosen One.

Drawing closer, pace by pace
The walking shadow hides its face
Never aware of a looming attack
Like stepping right into a trap

As his weapon
Finds its victim
Mortified, he's shocked to find
The shadow is Faythe

---

My Last Farewell

Angels above
Have you deceived my eyes?
Be still, my love
I won't leave your side

All my life
I have walked alone
Now I found my home
In you
Only I'm too late

Have I wandered into someone's nightmare?
This is more than any heart can bear
You stole my brother's life
How many more have to die
Before you will open your eyes?

Don't leave me now
Hold on for one more breath
Stay strong somehow
This can't be the end

All your life
You have walked alone
Now I am your hope, so take my hand
And don't let go

Crushing pain
Crippling grief
Nothing like I've ever felt
God above, souls beneath
Hear my last farewell!

---

Losing Faythe

My foolish pride
My selfish heart
Lost in the dark
Blinded by my arrogance

And now you beg for one last breath
And I'm the one to blame

There's a reason now I see
The reason you have chosen
To find the light inside of me
If only I believed

Here I am
Don't be afraid
I will never let you slip away
Look my way, you must be brave
Find the strength to live for one more day

I will keep from losing Faythe
I will ask for grace, and hope we find a way

Like a candles dying flame
With forgiving eyes
She starts to drift away

Gabriel my son
I see the tide is turning
Can the chosen one
Keep her fire burning?

I would shed my life
Just for one last moment

Use your gift, awake
May life begin again
May life begin again

---

Whispers On The Wind

If I still had something left
I'd surely use my gift
To give her one more breath
To see her smile again

And yet my gift is gone
Along with all her dreams
It vanished with a scream
My fragile voice
Has all but disappeared

I've nothing left to give
The words I wished I'd said
Just whispers on the wind
And now all hope is dead

---

Hymn Of A Thousand Voices

Out of the shadows
One by one they came
To shed their light upon his moment
Of doubt and pain

A thousand voices
Ring out through the night
A symphony of mercy for their savior
Too tired to fight

And as the grew
A thousand hearts beat true
Then like a glowing beacon in the dark
Hope came shining through
Shining through
Shining through

Amazingly
The savior found his voice
And all together they rejoiced

Glorious sound
Guide her tonight
Out of the darkness
Into the light

Merciful song
Set her soul free
Unbind the chains
Of endless sleep

Choirs sung high
Grant her new life

Make me a vessel of gold
Come guideless grace [?]
Music has shown her the way
She lived today

---

Our New World

Like her father once said
Love is not what you're given
It is how you decide to live
On the path you have chosen
So together we'll build a new world
A better world
We'll build a new world
Our new world

I know you're scared and alone
But we will face this together
Through the innocence in your eyes
They will live on forever
In their memory we'll build a new world
A better world
Our new world

We'll build a new world
A better world
We'll build a new world
Our new world

Yeah together
We'll build a new world
A wondrous world
Yeah
We'll build a new world
A bold new world

---

Astonishing

Brother, can you hear me?
His life is in your hands
He is just a child,
And still too young to understand

Show him love and courage
The freedom knows no bounds
Tell him he could
Never let me down

I've always had the answer
All this time I held the key
And now that I see
The reason to believe
I can be the man who I am meant to be

Because of you I live again
Now I can be a voice for change
And help to build a world that's fair and true
So they can live the life they never knew

On the road to revolution
There are lessons to be learned
All the things you thought that mattered
Are lost at every turn

When the light of my existence
Was slipping through my hands
Pride and ignorance receded
To reveal the humbled man

My prince, my son
You got lost along the way
In light of this new burden that you face
You are forgiven at this day!

People, can you hear us?
Peace has been restored
The silence has been broken
Music reigns forever more!

We sing the song of freedom
Together we are bound
People, we shall never hold you down!

We will build a world on common ground
And we'll live once more
Eternally in harmony
Our lives will be ASTONISHING AGAIN!