Dream Theater Album

A nightmare to remember
I'll never be the same
What began as laughter
So soon would turn into pain

The sky was clear and pretty
The air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget
And I bet I never will

Victim for a moment
The perfect irony
A flawless new beginning
Eclipsed by tragedy

The uninvited stranger
Started dancing on his own
So we said good-bye to the growing pride
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
Crashing glass, rubber and steel
Scorching fire, glowing lights

Screams of terror, pain and fear
Sound of sirens, smoke in my eyes
Silence stillness, blackened silence
No more screaming, no more cries

Stunned and bewildered
Cold and afraid
Torn off and broken
Frightened and dazed (2x)

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
He said: 'take this for the pain'

Hopelessly drifting
Fading 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, fading 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
Fading 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, fading 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?
Your son should never have to see
His father is such a mess

It's a miracle he lived
It's a blessing no one died
By a crazy kind of fun
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 appeals

The brotherhood of wisdom
Strenght and dignity
Its rituals and secrets
Remain a mistery

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
The sacred home
Unlock the door
and lay the cornerstone
A rite of passage

Men of wealth and power
Influence and fame
Philosophers and leaders
All members of the trade

Bound by open honor
Lying through rose and cross
An enigmatic union
Of the esoteric flux

Beneath an ever wacthfull 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
The 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
The new life has begun
A rite of passage

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 break down and let the story guide me

Turn it on, turn it on
Let the feelings flow
Close your eyes and 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 break down and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away

Like reflections on the page
The worlds which 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

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 break down and let the story guide me
I wither and give myself away

Like reflections on the page
The worlds which you create

Let it out, let it out

Freedom - Calls my name
Serenity - Keeps me sane
Happiness - It dulls the pain
Honest - To see my fate
Open - Don't want to wait
Willingness - To understand
Justice - Why do you judge?
Courtesy - For all to start
Kindness - It's not that hard
Self-restraint - Recalling me
Inventory - My daily bread
Analysis - Until you're gone

Look in the mirror
What do you see?
The Shattered Fortress
That once burned me

Fateful ascent
Through darkest fires
I've found the path
To take me higher

You're smart enough
For me to trust
To 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

Now that you can see all you have done
It's time to take that step into the kingdom
All your sins will help to make you strong
And help you break right through the prison wall

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 ways

I am ready
Help me be all I can be
I am ready
Help guide me
And keep me straight

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

Remember days of yesterday
And how it flew so fast
The two score and a year we had,
I thought would always last
The 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 lifetime together
I'll never forget

Morning shows on the radio
The case of the missing dog
Lying on the hills of ???
Watching Harold and Maude
Record shops, the stick-ball fields
My home away from home
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 have done
But time just slipped away
Remember "seize the day"
Life goes by in the blink of an eye
There's so much left to say

These were the best of times
I'll miss these days
Your spirit led 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 led my life each day
My heart is bleeding bad
But I'll be okay
Your spirit guides my life each day

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 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 may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived

"Would you like to see
A 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 alter

History recalls
During times of war
Legend has been traced
That inside these castle walls
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 english heir
The end is near!
Come and have a taste
Of rare vintage
Of the finest wines
Improved with age

I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
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 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 in 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"