In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I once upon a time
Carried a burden inside
Some will ask goodbye
A broken line but underlined
There's an ocean of sorrow in you
Sorrow in me
Saw movement in their eyes
Said I no longer knew the way
Given up the ghost
A passing minds and its a fear
And the wait for redemption ahead
Waiting to fade
Fading again
If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear
Taken more than we've received
And the ocean of sorrow is you
Carried a burden inside
Some will ask goodbye
A broken line but underlined
There's an ocean of sorrow in you
Sorrow in me
Saw movement in their eyes
Said I no longer knew the way
Given up the ghost
A passing minds and its a fear
And the wait for redemption ahead
Waiting to fade
Fading again
If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear
Taken more than we've received
And the ocean of sorrow is you
Lyrics submitted by DreamingInTheÆther, edited by TatorODix, SamDozer
Burden Lyrics as written by Mikael Lars Akerfeldt
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I've been reading all the perspectives and I am not sure I agree with any of them. The idea of the song being about someone commiting suicide is definately interesting but still doesn't make much sense to me. After seeing a few interviews and having a respectable knowledge of the band's history, I honestly think that this song is about Peter Lindgren. I think that Mikael is talking about the dead weight that Peter was to the creative process of the band, and how, regardless of his(Mike's) personal feelings, knows that Peter's departure was/is for the best, and that Peter will eventually realize that he made a mistake,( The ocean of sorrow is/in you). Though also Mike is reluctant and misses the companionship with Peter and desperately wants him back in the band(If death should take me now Count my mistakes and let me through). I don't know, but this seems to make the most sense to me.