| Nightwish – Sacrament Of Wilderness Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I believe this song is about the relationship between humankind and nature, using imagery from ancient societies. Midwinter is mentioned, which is another way of saying winter solstice, which in many ancient cultures was a time of spiritual ceremony. This is followed by the contrast between an idolized angelic figure frozen in the snow with a humanoid form, perhaps an earth goddess representing how humans view nature or the tamed, motherly forces of nature, and the wild, primal wolves symbolic of the fierce, untamed forces of nature. The contrast between wild energies (elves and dryads) and humans controlling them (campfire) continues. The "tameless" is nature, the "one with the tool" is man. The journey from the cave calls to mind vision quests or other spiritual journeys in older societies. The "charming tunes" and "promise" are probably suggestive of mankind in this ancient society trying to work with the forces of nature rather than against them. Their way of life then was more closely tied to the seasons and environment. "I want to hunt with the tameless heart" brings to mind an ancient hunter wanting the strength of the wolves, bears, or other fierce animals during his hunt or quest. "I want to learn the wisdom of the mountains afar" also implies wanting to know the secrets of nature. "We will make the streams for our children flow" brings to mind the way our species has changed the face of the earth for our own needs. The last stanza, "From my cave I watch the land untamed And wonder if some becoming season Will make the angel melt in shame" seems to suggest the ancient man looking out on the untamed land and wondering if one day it will be destroyed by our efforts to "tame" it, and whether one day their gods, goddesses, and/or way of life will fall. |
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