Ayreon Album

The Time Telepathy Experiment
MERLIN:
This is the voice of Merlin.
Listen well, for it concerns you.
This chronicle commences in the year 2084 A.D.
Mankind has virtually destroyed itself.
Its survival depends on "The Final Experiment".

Scientists from the 21st century have developed a new computer-program called "Time Telepathy".
By using this technique they have sent visions of humanies' decline back in time.
These transmissions have been received by the mind of a blind minstrel, who lives in 6th century Britain.
His name... is "Ayreon".

Overture
[Instrumental]

Ayreon's Quest
MERLIN:
It shall be Ayreon's quest to sing of these visions and thus warn the world of its impending downfall in order to change its future into a long and prosperous one.

MERLIN:
Let us go back... to... the Dark Ages...
Dark Ages... Dark Ages... Dark Ages... Dark Ages...

AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS):
A cry in the silence
A shine in the dark
Like a rising star
The dream is coming

Images of violence
A flight through time and space
It's such a lonely place
The dream has started

The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer
And words become a song...
In the dreamtime

I've lost control
Marooned and cold
I suffer the fears
Of a future untold
I cannot change
The shape of things to come

The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer.
And words become a song...
In the dreamtime

WOMEN:
The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer.
The hands of time are whirling around
I'm realizing
The future's getting nearer
And words become a song...

AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS):
The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer.
And words become a song...

AYREON (LENNY WOLF):
I cannot see with these eyes!
My world is dark,
Like a cold eternal night.

I could not tell you no lies!
My words are lost,
In a shroud of mystery.

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you see!

AYREON:
I cannot tell you now,
I see the world through the eyes of time!

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you feel!

AYREON:
I wouldn't know how,
I cannot free my mind!
(From the eyes of time)

I do not know where I am!
I'm lost in time,
Drifting in eternity.

I cannot tell if it's real,
A fantasy,
Or a view of things to come.

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you see!

AYREON:
I cannot tell you now,
I see the world through the eyes of time!

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you feel!

AYREON:
I wouldn't know how,
I cannot free my mind!
(From the eyes of time)

I'm still trying to understand,
Why do I see the things I see?
Could it be a future world,
That's warning us through me?
I'm still trying to understand,
Why do I know the things I know?
Does it mean I'm a god?
Will nobody tell me so?

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you see!

AYREON:
I cannot tell you now,
I see the world through the eyes of time!

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you feel!

AYREON:
I wouldn't know how,
I cannot free my mind!

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you see!

AYREON:
I see the world through the eyes of time!

VILLAGERS:
Tell me what you feel!

AYREON:
I wouldn't know how,
I cannot free my mind... Free my mind... free my mind...
Free my mind... Free my mind...

VILLAGERS (ROBERT SOETERBOEK):
Mmmm....
Have you seen his eyes,
Up in the skies,
Like hypnotized?
And he never smiles,
He never cries.

Have you heard his song,
Fierce and strong,
Right or wrong?
Should he be condemned?
For he doesn't belong.

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've aroused the forces of destruction!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've unleashed the rage of the gods!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've denounced the wonder of creation!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've betrayed your own,
Now you have to pay!

It has been foretold,
In days of old,
An evil soul,
Will corrupt the world,
To achieve his goal.

He's the devil's seed!
An evil breed,
He's gonna make you bleed!
He'll take all he needs,
With uncontrollable greed!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've aroused the forces of destruction!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've unleashed the rage of the gods!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've denounced the wonder of creation!

AYREON:
What have I done?

VILLAGERS:
You've betrayed your own,
Now you have to pay!
You have to pay!

AYREON:
I've done nothing at all!
No, nothing at all! (Ohh I'm an innocent man!)

I've done nothing at all!
No, nothing at all! (Let me go!)

I've done nothing at all! (What did I do?)
No, nothing at all! (What did I do?)

I've done nothing at all! (Let me go!)
No, nothing at all!

(Innocent man, at the end of the day... I'm an innocent man...
All the time... You've got me wrong...You've got me...
What did I do? What did I do?...)

AYREON (JAN-CHRIS DE KOEIJER):
If I have died, then this must be hell!
If I am alive, I cannot break this gruesome spell!
I am seeking relief, and finding none!
I have fallen into oblivion!

A force within dominates my tormented soul!
And empowers me to regain absolute control!
I shall not yield, for I am the chosen one!
Who shall rise from... oblivion!

NOBLEMAN (IAN PARRY):
A new horizon,
Hear the travellers call!
Behold there lies a kingdom,
Go forth, ye minstrel tall!

Sing of your wisdom,
Spread tidings of joy,
A feast of song and laughter,
Ye courtyard minstrel boy.

O'dance thee 'round the table,
For conquerors and kings!
Thou must win the heart of Gweniviere,
Fair maiden of the king!

Thy lord, thy master,
Arthur thee so bold,
Heed the words of Ayreon,
And thy future will unfold!

Sing ye tales of wonder,
Whilst ye hide behind the joy!
Cast thy spell asunder,
Ye courtyard minstrel boy!

Sing ye, oh sing ye, courtyard minstrel boy!
Sing ye, oh sing ye, courtyard minstrel boy!

A day of splendour,
How beautiful birds sing!
Ladies, lords and masters,
And rainbows he would bring!

A child's sadness,
Sweet dreams, oh princely boy!
Let thine eyes reveal the madness,
Ye courtyard minstrel boy!

Sing ye tales of wonder,
Whilst ye hide behind the joy!
Cast thy spell asunder,
Ye courtyard minstrel boy!

AYREON (BARRY HAY)
Noble men in shining armour,
Knights of the table round,
Go out and ride like thunder!
Cross the sky at the speed of...
Sound the horn, 'n blow the trumpets,
Upon the castle wall,
Now the quest has started,
Listen to the prophet's call!
The prophet's call, yeah yeah

Sail away!
Sail away to Avalon!
The journey has begun.
Sail away through the night!
Sail away, never die!
The gods are at your side.
Sail away through the night, sail away!

Ride on the road to glory,
Find the holy grail
And learn the ancient story's
More than just a...
Fairy-tale about the key to life,
And all its mysteries,
You'll find the grail within you,
Slay the dragon in your dreams!

Sail away!
Sail away to Avalon!
The journey has begun.
Sail away through the night!
Sail away, never die!
The gods are at your side.
Sail away through the night...

---------

Sail away!
Sail away to Avalon!
The journey has begun.
Sail away through the night!
Sail away, never die!
The gods are at your side.
Sail away through the night...

AYREON (ARJEN LUCASSEN):

I can smell the grass, and touch the flowers.
Among the trees, I pass the hours and fantasize.

I let the dance of nature inspire me.

Now my mind is free from apparitions.
I switch off like a 'television', and close my eyes.

And I wish that I could see like everybody can...
How I wish that I could be like any other man...

I can't see the sun, but I sense its glow.
I hear the sound of water flowing down the stream.

And my heart cries out for a little bit o' love.

But I know that it was not meant to be.
So I fulfill my destiny and accept my fate.

Still I wish that I could see like everybody can... (Like everybody can...)
How I wish that I could be like any other man...

AYREON (IAN PARRY):
I see a future cold as ice,
Where all the love has gone.
I see a race that pays the price
For everything it's done.

I see shadows of giant machines,
Cast upon the land.
I see a world where kings nor queens,
But chips are in command.

WOMEN:
Now the end has just begun!
Technology has won!
And it cannot be undone!

AYREON:
There will be nowhere to run,
Now the damage has been done!
Game over! Game over!

I see a game gone out of hand,
And memories erased.
I see a programmed masterplan,
And man will be replaced.

I see a planet die in space,
And slowly fade away.
I see the end of the human race,
There has to be a way.

WOMEN:
Now the end has just begun!
Technology has won!
And it cannot be undone!

AYREON:
There will be nowhere to run,
Now the damage has been done!
Game over! Game over!

AYREON (JAY VAN FEGGELEN):

Echoes of a thousand screams,
Smoke, blood and fire.
A deserted battlefield,
Millions of men will die,
At one man's desire.
And the docile mass will yield.

All through the ages,
Men will die before their time,
In an everlasting war!
As long as man is taught,
That war is not a crime,
Man will fight for evermore!

Out of the ashes,
A warlord will arise,
And tyrannize the land!
His reign of terror,
Will cost many a sacrifice,
An inferno is at hand!

All through the centuries,
Men will be caged,
In the name of liberty!
As long as man shall live,
Wars will be waged,
Or will we ever be set free?

WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Oooohh...
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Pray god almighty! Set me free! Set me free!
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Set me free, oh lord!
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: I'm begging you, I'm begging thee, just to set me free!
WOMEN: Ohhhh!

AYREON:
The road to ruin
Gets shorter all the time,
As technology will improve.
It takes but one man,
To commit the ultimate crime,
And make the final move!

All through the ages,
Men will die before their time,
In an everlasting war!
As long as man shall live,
Wars will be waged!
Or will we ever, will we ever be set free?

WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Oooohh...
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Pray god almighty! Set me free! Set me free!
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: Set me, set me free, oh lord!
WOMEN: Set me free!
AYREON: I'm begging you, I'm begging thee, set me free!
WOMEN: Ohhhh!

AYREON (ARJEN LUCASSEN):

All the trees have fallen,
The soil is scorched and dry.
I can't respire,
A storm of fire,
Is raging in the sky.

Where is all the wildlife?
Extinct from pole to pole.
The hunt for skin,
A deadly sin,
Took its heavy toll.

The seas are red, the skies are grim.
The soil is filled with graves.
The earth is dead, the sun is dim.
Listen to the waves.

We befoul the air,
And burn a hole in the sky.
Deadly rays,
From outer space,
Cause our race to die.

Standing at the crossroads,
A choice of life and death.
We'll take more care,
And clear the air,
Or take our final breath.

The seas are red, the skies are grim.
The soil is filled with graves.
The earth is dead, the sun is dim.
Listen to the waves.

--------------

The seas are red, the skies are grim.
The soil is filled with graves.
The earth is dead, the sun is dim.
Listen to the waves...

AYREON (ARJEN LUCASSEN):

I sense a fear,
Deep inside.
The end is near,
I cannot hide.
Blood is spilt,
My quest is unfulfilled.

There's still so much,
I long to see.
I need to touch,
I wish to be.
I can't believe,
This is all I can achieve...
Hark me now and let me go.

To far-away lands and distant shores,
An angel at my side.
No evil plans or future wars.
Take me high on a magic ride.

Did you ever care,
How I would feel,
As you dreamt up,
This one-way deal?
Lords of time,
Don't you understand?

My life's been rough,
I was born to lose.
I've had enough,
Of them future-blues.
Grant my wish,
My wish is your command...
Hark me now and let me go.

To far-away lands and distant shores.
An angel at my side,
No evil plans or future wars.
Take me high on a magic ride.

WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN (LEON GOEWIE): Don't you know who I am?
WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN:
I'll have you know that I can,
Charm you with a wave of my hand!
You bow to my command!

WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN: You're an evil stranger!
WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN:
You've become a danger!
Your words are all but a lie!
I vow that ye shall die!

KNIGHTS:
It's Merlin's will, his will be done!
The end has come for Ayreon!
It's Merlin's will, and his will be done!

WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN: You're in my domain now!
WOMEN: Ayreon!
MERLIN:
I renounce your name now!
No one will know who you are!
You'll fade out like a star!

KNIGHTS:
It's Merlin's will, his will be done!
The end has come for Ayreon!
It's Merlin's will, and his will be done!

AYREON (RUUD HOUWELING):

I've been lost in the valley of nightmares.
I've been found in the garden of dreams.
Speak thy charm, I know you are out there.
Cast thy spell and silence their screams.

As I poise on the edge of life,
Where time disappears,
I bow in fear,
To the charm of the Seer.

I've seen fear in valiant faces.
I've seen hope in desperate eyes.
Lead me home to familiar places.
Lead me back to crystalline skies.

As I poise on the edge of life,
Where time disappears,
I bow in fear,
To the charm of the Seer.

I have failed, I have been forsaken!
I've been scorned and misunderstood!
I have lost, my life has been taken!
I'd surrender if only I could!

As I poise on the edge of life,
Where time disappears,
I bow in fear,
To the charm of the Seer!

I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....)
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer!
Ooooooooooohh-hoh-hoh-hooo! Hoh-hoo!
(I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer!)
Ooooooohh....

[No lyrics]

AYREON (LEON GOEWIE):
Misguided Merlin,
You fail to understand,
I could never be your rival.
I was just a pawn,
In a future masterplan,
For the purpose of survival!

MERLIN (ROBERT SOETERBOEK):
Ayreon!
I've cast my spell upon you!
I have no faith, you cannot be true!

WOMEN: Ayreon!

AYREON:
I forgive you, Merlin,
For you don't know what you've done,
Even for you, it was all a mystery.
One day you'll see,
That I was the one,
Who could change the course of history!

MERLIN:
Ayreon!
Your words are all in vain!
Close your eyes, there'll be no more pain!

WOMEN: Oh Ayreon...

MERLIN:
(ROBERT SOETERBOEK):
Mmm!
I see one day,
His story will be told,
At the end of the 20th century, ohhhh!
(IAN PARRY):
I see one day,
The truth will unfold!
(MIRJAM VAN DOORN):
Ohhh!
And the quest has now begun!
Oh, Ayreon!

(JAY VAN FEGGELEN):
I hope one day,
That man will understand,
It's in his power to change his destiny!
(LEON GOEWIE):
I hope one day,
He'll do all that he can!
(DEBBY SCHREUDER)
Ohhh!
And all the nations will be one!
Oh Ayreon! Yeah!

WOMEN (SCHREUDER & VAN DOORN): Now the end has just begun!
AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS): And words become a song!
VILLAGERS (SCHREUDER & VAN DOORN): Tell me what you feel!
AYREON (ARJEN LUCASSEN):
The seas are red, the skies are grim...
Listen to the waves...

MERLIN (EDWARD REEKERS):
The outcome of 'The Final Experiment' has
now been placed in your hands...

(Clock ticking)