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Ayreon - The Human Equation lyrics



Tracks



01. Day One: Vigil

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
Did he open up his eyes?
Did he try to touch my hand
Or is my mind playing tricks on me...

Do you think he hears us cry?
Does he understand
We are here by his side

Wife:
Why are you so concerned?
Do you really care
Or do you feel responsible?

Now the tide has turned
Won't you try to clear the air?
Let your conscience be your guide...

02. Day Two: Isolation

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Me:
I can't move, I can't feel my body
I don't remember anything
What place is this...how did I get here?
I don't understand, what's happening...

Am I alone?

Fear:
You've been deserted, everyone has left you
You know it's always been that way
Those frantic years, the people you've neglected
Now the time has come to pay

You're alone
No one here is dancing to your tune

Me: Is this a dream or is it real?
Reason: Sometimes the dream becomes reality
Me: But I don't know what to feel
Reason: Then I will guide you through this haze
Me: But who are you, why are you here?
Reason: I am you and you are all of us
Me: I can't think, my mind ain't clear
Reason: Then I will free you from this maze

Passion:
Can't you feel it burn
Deep down inside?
Won't you ever learn
Don't try to hide

Can't you feel that fire
Scorching you soul?
A wounded man's desire
Out of control

Pride:
I can't believe you're giving up
That's not your way
I can't believe you'd pass the chance to make them pay

You always had complete control
Never thinking twice
You always called the shots, a heart as cold as ice

Me: You are delusions of my mind
Reason: And so we are, we're all a part of you
Me: Am I a part of some design?
Reason: The one design is in your head
Me: How can it be you look so real...
Reason: We are as real as you imagine us
Me: I can touch you, I can feel...
Reason: Then take my hand and follow me

(Chorus 1 - Passion)

(Chorus 2 - Pride)

Love:
Close your eyes, listen to your heart beat
Surrender to its soothing pulse
Silence the cries, gentle and carefree
Good or bad, true or false...

You're not alone

You'll find me here whenever they oppose you
I am the strongest of them all
No need to fear these feelings that enclose you
I'm here to catch you when you fall

You're not alone
I am here dancing to your tune

(Chorus 1 - Passion)

(Chorus 2 - Pride + ad libs)

03. Day Three: Pain

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Devin Townsend
Agony:
I am pain
I am real, I'm not a dream
I'm the chain around your neck as you scream

Surrender now
You can't beat death at his ruthless game
Make your bow
Hang your head in shame

Me: I can't believe there is no way out...
Agony: You'll find you are wrong
Me: You fill me with doubt...
Agony: You were never that strong

Agony:
I am pain
I am the wound that never heals
It's all in vain
No compromise, no deals...

Me: I can't believe this is the end
Agony: It's written in stone
Me: Where are my friends?
Agony: You have always been alone!

Rage:
(Pain!) We lead
We hide as the pain leaves the rage inside
(Motion personified alpha)
Being here, welcomed by...a sane mind
A travelled lie

Agony:
I am pain
I am the end, I am your wraith
Nothing remains
I'm the loss of hope and faith

(Chorus one - Me and Agony)

Rage:
We lead, we hide as the pain leaves the rage inside
(Motion personified alpha)
Being here, welcomed by...a sane mind
A travelled lie
All the time, I had waited with rage
All the time, I was promised my salvation

Love:
I can't accept this, we will find a way
Out of this cesspool of doom and dismay
Beyond this dejection there's beauty and grace
A glorious future we long to embrace

Rage:
(Pain!) All the time, I have waited with rage
(Motion personified alpha)
All the time, I was promised my salvation

04. Day Four: Mystery

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
No, I can't seem to figure out what happened
On the brightest hour of day, no car in sight
No, I can't seem to accept these strange conditions
No matter what they say, it doesn't feel right

Wife: Do you think he's seen it?
Best Friend: I don't think he did
Wife: Do you think he knows it?
Best Friend: I don't think he knows
Wife: Do you think he's been there?
Best Friend: I don't think he was
Wife: Do you think he'll die?
Best Friend: I don't think he will

Wife:
No, could it have been a moment of distraction?
A creature on the road, a plane in the air...

Best Friend: Do you think he's seen it?
Wife: I don't think he did
Best Friend: Do you think he knows it?
Wife: I don't think he knows
Best Friend: Do you think he's been there?
Wife: I don't think he was
Best Friend: Do you think he'll die?
Wife: I don't think he will

Wife and Best Friend:
No, will we ever understand what happened
Will the mystery be unveiled, or die with him?

(Chorus - Wife and Best Friend)

Passion: Do you think you've seen it?
Me: I don't think I did
Pride: Do you think you know it?
Me: I don't think I know
Love: Do you think you've been there?
Me: I don't think I was
Agony: Do you think you'll die?
Me: I don't know!

05. Day Five: Voices

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Pride:
I hear voices, they are talking about you
Can you hear them, do you know what they mean?
Try to remember, what have you been through?
What do you know and what have you seen?

I can read the thoughts they're conveying
So intense, can you feel them too?
I can't believe it's true what they're saying
You're far too strong, it couldn't happen to you

Me:
But what if there's truth in the words that they speak?
What do they signify?
Pride: You worry too much
Me:
And what are the questions to answers I seek
What will they clarify?
Pride: You're losing your touch
Me: Help me out, this means nothing to me...

Reason:
Who are these voices, where do they come from?
Should we try to understand?
Mere illusions, hallucinations?
They might be vital, to our plan

Love:
They sound familiar, they must be here to help you
All this confusion's tearing you apart
You must be patient, time is the healer
Open up and let them in your heart

Fear:
Their guilty sighs
I think you understand it all
You were afraid to live, now you're afraid to die...

You fool yourself
You rose so high, you were bound to fall
Longing for the truth, you lived a lie...

Reason:
I am convinced now, they are essential
They must be our way out of here

Love:
Listen and learn, let your heart lead you
And you will find the solution's near

Fear:
Their guilty signs
I think you understand it all
Longing for the truth, you lived a lie...

Pride:
If they are right, we'll fight for survival
Look to the future, but learn from the past
Confront the danger, face up to your rival
Take a deep breath, we have to move fast

Me:
I think there is truth in the words that they speak
What do they signify?
Pride: You worry way too much
Me:
I will find the answers to questions I seek
What will they clarify?
Pride: You're losing your touch
Me: Help me out, this means nothing to me...

06. Day Six: Childhood

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Agony:
You're alone in your bedroom
Hiding from the world, staring at the ceiling

Me:
Mother said 'he'll be home soon'
But he never was, and I knew how she was feeling

Fear:
You always let him down; 'you'd never be like him'
He'd always break you, never let you win
No matter what you said, he'd always disagree
You swore that one day you would be
...better then him...one day you'd win

Agony:
You're hiding out in the cellar
Aching and ashamed, covering up the bruises

Me:
And then he would tell her
How I tripped and hurt my head, how I'd always be a loser

(Chorus - Fear)

Agony:
You're all alone in your bedroom
How could you learn to care, when nobody cares for you

Me:
Mother said he'd be home soon
But he never came, as for me...he didn't have to...

07. Day Seven: Hope

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
Let me take you back
To the time when we were chasing all the girls
Two maniacs
Indulging in the pleasures of this world

So much to see, so much to live for
Questions to answer, places to go
So much to be, so much to care for
Deep down inside I think you know
You are free...come back to me!

Look ahead and see
There are still so many borders we could cross
Just you and me
Making up for all the time that we have lost

Best Friend: So much to see
Me: He may be right
Best Friend: so much to live for
Me: I've got to fight
Best Friend: Questions to answer
Me: I will pull through
Best Friend: places to go
Me: take me with you
Best Friend: So much to be
Me: I will not break
Best Friend: so much to care for
Me: I must awake
Best Friend: Deep down inside I think you know
Me: I think I know
Best Friend: You are free
Me: I am free
Best Friend: Come back to me!

Best Friend: Aaaah, aaaah come back to me
Me: There's no way out, my whole world is black!
Best Friend: Aaaah, aaaah come back to me
Me: I try to shout, something's holding me back!

08. Day Eight: School

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Devin Townsend
Fear:
It's time to leave your sheltered cage
Face you deepest fears
The world is against you
You're fighting back the tears

Me:
All the kids were watching me
I felt very small
I could hear the laughter
As I stumbled down the hall

Rage:
(human) Seeking to find,
deep in the trauma as it leaves you behind
(human) Bleeding it gone into the
profit of the competition
(human) Loving today,
all of the feelings are they going away
(human) Ending it now,
I'd rather hear about the where and the how

Agony:
The bigger boys they beat you up
Out here you cannot hide
No friends to help you
No father at your side

Me:
I swore that I'd get back at them
But I was just a kid
One day I'd show them
I wouldn't rest until I did

(Chorus 1 - Rage)

Pride: You gotta prove you are not like the rest
Reason: There's no need if you know you're the best
Pride: That's not enough, let the other kids know
Reason: What's the use, go with the flow

Pride: Be a man, give into hate
Reason: You better learn to communicate
Pride: Better to learn to protect yourself
Reason: That's not the way to get out of this hell

Pride: See that kid, wipe the smile off his face
Reason: He's just like you, feeling out of place
Pride: I don't care, let's show him who's boss
Reason: That's not the way to get your message across

(Chorus 2 - Pride and Reason)

Passion:
Don't rack your brain, let it all go
Savour the moment and feel your blood flow

Me:
Then I got back at them
Still acting like a kid
Then I showed them
But when I had I could not quit...

(Chorus 1 - Rage)

09. Day Nine: Playground

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
[Instrumental]

10. Day Ten: Memories

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
It's been 10 days
It shouldn't last this long
The doctor's mystified
Nothing's physically wrong...

Wife:
But maybe inside his head
He's struggling to survive
Would it help if we talked to him?
Bring him back to life...

Best Friend and Pride:
Do you remember that time
We were showing off our brand new flashy bikes
Wife and Love:
You looked so fine
Until you both fell over and then started to cry!
Best Friend and Pride:
Do you recall that day
Fearlessly we climbed the highest tower
Wife and Love:
Then you became afraid
Too scared to climb down you stayed up there for hours!
Best Friend and Pride: Do you remember that time?
Wife and Love: Do you recall that day?

Wife and Love:
Do remember that time
Alone at last, naked by the fire
Best Friend and Pride:
Then all your friends came by
They rushed in the room and you had no time to hide!
Wife and Love:
Do you recall that day
You proposed to me, and fell down to your knees
Best Friend and Pride:
You didn't know what to say
So she knelt down too for she thought you'd lost your keys!
Wife and Love: Do you remember that time?
Best Friend and Pride: Do you recall that day?

Passion:
Can you see her light
Shining through the black
She's reaching out to you
What's holding you back?

Reason:
Can you feel her warmth
Glowing on your skin
Don't repress the memories
Let them all in...

11. Day Eleven: Love

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Me:
Friday night, I had a few
There she was, out of the blue
Thunderstruck, nailed to the floor
I couldn't move, couldn't talk...anymore

Love:
Of all these guys it's you she desires
Secretly her heart is on fire
Waiting for you to ask her to dance
Go ahead, make your move...now's your chance

Passion:
Do it right, do it right, we ain't got all night
Do it now, do it now, I think you know how

Pride:
Let it out, let it out, now don't mess about
Let her in, let her in, let the party begin!

Me:
There I was, nervous and shy
Struck with awe as I caught her eye
I mustered up courage and walked her way
Figuring out what to do...what to say

Love:
Her heart sings as she sees you come near
The music fades, the crowd disappears
She weeps in silence as you pass her by
And she's wondering why...oh why

(Chorus - Passion and Pride)

Agony:
Remember your father, well you're just like him
Nothing but violence and fury within
Remember your mother, so lonely and sad
This will be her fate if you treat her as bad

Fear:
You're afraid she might turn you down
All your hopes, dashed to the ground
Nobody loved you, nobody will
Why should you even try...but still...

Me: Friday night, I had a few
Wife: There was no need to talk
Me: There she was, out of the blue
Wife: We just started to walk
Me: Hand in hand, we took the floor
Wife: And we danced, and we danced, and we danced
Me: I could move, I could talk...even more...

(Chorus - Passion and Pride)

(Agony)

12. Day Twelve: Trauma

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Reason:
Think hard, you are lying here in a hospital bed
Disregard the emotions inside your head
Concentrate on the real world beyond your mind
It's not too late to leave your burdens behind

Fear:
We won't let you go
Take you down below
Dark crypts of your soul
Locked inside your head...
You're better off dead

Agony:
Locked away, she lives in isolation
It's been that way, since he has gone
She been through a life of deprivation
She depends on you, her only son

Passion:
She won't let you go
Keep you down below
Dark crypts of your soul
Locked inside your head
You're better off dead

Agony:
Where are you, can't you hear her calling?
Nothing you can do, you have no time
There's no one there to catch her now she's falling
Why should you care, you are doing fine

(Chorus 1 - Passion)

Reason:
Now she's at rest, she finally found her peace
There's no need to blame yourself
You must let go, or the pain will never cease
It's time to crawl out of your shell

Your mother died, the day your father left
A part of you died as well
Feelings of guilt will haunt you 'til the end
You must fight hard to break this spell

But it hurts...

Fear:
You hear her voice, from beyond her grave
"Where were you, son, when I needed you
Is this your thanks for all the warmth I gave
Did you forget what I been through?"

You hear his voice, cold and merciless
"You worthless fool, you let her die!"
And deep within yourself you must confess
Your ways cannot be justified

Pride:
By now you realized, you have to be
relentless to survive
Repress your memories,
bury all emotions and thrive!
It's your life!

Reason: Now she's at rest, she found her peace
Fear: You hear her voice from her grave
Reason: You must let go or the pain won't cease
Fear: "Is this your thanks for all I gave"
Reason: A part of you died as well
Fear: "You worthless fool, you let her die!"
Reason: It's time to crawl out of your shell
Fear: Your ways cannot be justified

(Chorus 2 - Pride)

13. Day Thirteen: Sign

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Heather Findlay
Love:
Faith has come to warn
That you've far too long forsaken her heart

Move to the truth
Breath the sunlight burning in her open arms

Break the chains that
Bind you to a past that feeds these bitter days

Seize your only chance
Follow the stars that beckon you through blackened skies

Wife:
Can you feel me touch your aching heart
I can sense how much you're missing me...

Give me a sign, show me you're there
I am sure you'll find a way back to me

Me:
I can't believe I turned so vile
How could I've ignored her smile?
She was always there to easy my pain
I am so ashamed...

I wonder why she stayed with me
How she endured my vanity
I wish I could go back and mend my ways
Is it too late?

Wife: Can you see, I swear it's true, a teardrop trickling down his cheek?
Best Friend: Yes, indeed, I see it too, could it be he's hurting inside?
Wife: Don't you think we should be glad he feels anything at all?
Best Friend" It could well be he cries because of us
Wife: Does it matter why he cries?
Best Friend: What's going on in his mind?
Wife: Has he's given us a sign?

Wife: Can you see, I swear it's true, him clenching his right hand into a fist?
Best Friend: Yes, indeed, I see it too, could it be that he's raging inside?
Wife: Don't you think we should be glad he has any thoughts at all?
Best Friend: It could well be he's angry cos of us
Wife: Does it matter if he is?
Best Friend: What's going on in his mind?
Wife: Has he's given us a sign?

14. Day Fourteen: Pride

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Me:
I have always been creative, I don't understand
Aspired to be an artist, not a business man
Pride:
You need to show your old man you're in control
To be successful, you'd sell you own soul!

Me:
I've always been respectable, I don't understand
I tried to be compassionate, I'm not a ruthless man!
Pride:
You need to show them you're superior, you lead the field
No one opposes you, all men must yield!

Me:
I've always been affectionate, don't understand
I really love her, I'm not a heartless man!
Pride:
You have no time for commitments, they get in the way
Get down to business, there's no time to play!

Reason: You can still change, and right what is wrong
Pride: But can you swallow me, am I too strong?
Reason: You have to get back now, it's not too late
Pride: It's not like you to resign to your fate
Reason: The loved ones are waiting, break out of you cage
Pride: You have the power, give into your rage
Reason: Listen to pride now, for once he is right
Pride: Listen to reason, let us be your guide

15. Day Fifteen: Betrayal

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Fear:
This is what you dreamt about
Director of the firm
Will it be you, or your best friend?
He's always been the better man and
He fits all their terms
What will you do to gain your end...

Agony:
You remember he once told you
He tampered with the books
When he lost out on the deal
You're digging up the evidence
...no one looks
You leave it there for all to see

Reason:
This memory burns inside
You can't forget, you cannot fight or erase it
Passion: Let it go, try to unwind
Reason:
You'll have to tell and set it right
You cannot run, you cannot hide so face it!
Passion: Wake up, free your mind

Fear:
You'll never talk, he'll never know
What you have done
But can you live with this betrayal?

Agony:
They found him out and let him go
I guess you've won
But one day, the truth might be unveiled...

(2x Chorus - Reason and Passion)

Me:
I have to talk and let him know
What I have done
I cannot live with this betrayal
He's always been the better man
I never won
Now the truth must be unveiled

16. Day Sixteen: Loser

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Devin Townsend
Father:
Look at you, lying there, defenceless and alone
See I'm no fool, I always knew you wouldn't make it on your own
Cos you're just like your mother, well where is she now?
You'll end up like her soon, 6 feet under ground, loser!

I came here to watch you bleed, oh how I love to gloat
If you had any balls at all, you'd grab me by the throat
You don't even look like me, ha! Not even close!
You're an aberration, some freak...I suppose, loser!

I had my fun, I'm going back to the place I don't call home
There's no one there who waits for me, but you won't hear me moan
My ex-wives all sue me, and with half my kids in jail
I'll still come out laughing, coz me? I never fail, loser!

Rage:
NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
Killing it from afar, go tell it in a bar
You're killing it from afar my father!

17. Day Seventeen: Accident?

Music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Devon Graves
Reason:
You're driving home, it's one PM
You cannot function, you're a broken man
Your past is catching up with you
Only her tenderness can help you through

you see her smile at another man

Wife:
Did you see me smile at another man?
It was only us, please understand...

Reason: You see him hold her in his arms

Wife:
Did you see him hold me in his arms?
We needed warmth, we meant no harm...

Agony: Love left you, without me you're all alone!

Reason:
Tears of sorrow fill your eyes
Your cold and wretched life flashes by
Is that your father standing there?
You turn the wheel, you no longer care...

You saw her smile at another man

Wife:
Did you see me smile at another man?
It was only us, please understand...

Reason: You saw him hold her in his arms

Wife:
Did you see him hold me in his arms?
We needed warmth, we meant no harm...

Agony:
Love left you, without me you're all alone!
Love wrecked you!

Passion:
You saw her smile at another man
Now you finally understand
He held her in his arms
You've nothing left, it's gone to far...

Agony:
Your memory begins to clear
Now you see what brought you here
You try to open up your eyes
But the doubts leave you paralyzed

Wife:
I smiled at another man
Please understand...
He held me in his arms
We meant no harm...

Agony:
Love left you, without me you're all alone!
Love wrecked you, I am the oldest friend you've known!

18. Day Eighteen: Realization

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Reason: Now you know the truth, what will you do?
Me: I still can't believe it's true...
Passion: You better believe it, and make them pay!
Me: There has to be another way...

Pride: You cannot take this lying down!
Me: I cannot stand up, can you show me how?
Love: You must forgive them and open your heart
Me: It's all my fault, it tears me apart!

Agony: It would have been better if you would have just died!
Me: No, I've got to win this fight!
Fear: Can you face them after all you did?
Me: I gotta reveal the feelings I hid

Best Friend: See him fight, he's all on his own...
Me: I need your help, can't do it alone!
Wife: Listen to me, can you hear me shout?
Me: Let me out!!

19. Day Nineteen: Disclosure

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
My good friend, I hope you hear my voice
I must alleviate this ache
I thought about this and found I have no choice
I have to tell you this for conscience' sake

I felt alone, forsaken and afraid
Out of work and out of love
I needed someone to ease some of the pain
She was there for me when times were rough

Wife:
My sweet love, my heart belongs to you
But I was lonely and the need for passion grew
You where never here, and even when you were
Most of my words would go unheard
Best Friend: I'd be there to comfort her
Wife: We'd share our distress
Best Friend: But we were never in love
Wife: Can you forgive us?

Best Friend:
My good friend, well maybe I am wrong
I think you saw us on that day
I want you to know, she loved you all along
I hope that this will help you in some way

(Chorus - Wife and Best Friend)

Love: Don't be afraid, her heart belongs to you
Passion: Don't be afraid, don't keep her waiting
Love: It's time to rise, and tell them what you feel
Passion: You have to let them know
Love: Here the dream ends, this is real

Me: I'll be there to comfort her
Passion: I know you will be!
Me: I'll come back to life
Love: I know that you can!

20. Day Twenty: Confrontation

Music & lyrics by Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Best Friend:
See his mouth, he tries to speak
He cannot move, his voice is weak...
Me:
My dear friend can you hear me now?
I'll try to tell you how I feel
Best Friend:
I feel the pain inside of you
Tell me please, what can I do?
Me:
Listen well to what I have to say
I have to tell you...of my betrayal

Me:
I revealed the facts, it was clear
It spelled the end of your career
Best Friend:
Yes I always felt that it was you
I repressed the thought although I knew the truth
Me:
The truth is out, I feel relieved
You hate me now you've been deceived?
Best Friend:
Oh no, in a way we are even now
Come back to us...somehow

Wife and Love:
Cross that bridge to the other side
Follow your heart, you can't go wrong
Come with me, I will be your guide
And lead you back where you belong

Agony:
Welcome to reality, be ready for the pain
Welcome to reality, will it be in vain
Welcome to reality,
Nothing much has changed since you were gone

Passion:
Rise up and show the world you can be a better man
Rise up and show the world you care, yes you can
Rise up and show the world you're taking your chance
Rise up and show the world!
Agony: Welcome back!

Reason:
Welcome to reality, wake up and rejoice
Welcome to reality, you've made the right choice
Welcome to reality and let them hear your voice, shout it out!

Pride:
Rise up and show the world your battle is won
Rise up and show the world the old you is gone
Rise up and show the world your new life has begun
Rise up and show the world!
Reason and Agony: Welcome back!

Fear:
Here inside the question burns
Are you sure of your return?
Me:
I am sure I deserve this chance
Now I understand it all
Fear:
It all seems so unreal to you
Can you decide what to do?
Me:
Yes I can, oh I will survive
Look at me...I'm alive

(Chorus - Wife and Love)

Best Friend: There is so much to see, there is so much to live for
Wife: Come with me, my love
Reason: You feel her warmth, glowing on your skin
Love: You're never alone, I knew we could make it
Fear: Aaaaaaaarrrrgh!
Passion: Can't you feel that fire, can't you feel it burn?
Agony: Be ready for the pain, ready for the pain!
Pride: Well rise up, your battle has been won, your new life has begun
Me: I'm alive, I won't look back, aaaaah!