An offering of reasons
(To) put them all in play
A covering of treasons
That one by one we let slip away

A solitary dancer
So lost upon her stage

I have seen you on the edge of dawn
Felt you there before you were born
Balanced your dreams upon the edge of thorns
But I don't think about you anymore

A study made from winter
Of summers long ago
And dreams that use to glitter
Safely now hidden under snow

And so we end this chapter
And let the stage lights fade

I have seen you on the edge of dawn
Felt you there before you were born
Balanced your dreams upon the edge of thorns
But I don't think about you anymore


Lyrics submitted by gnatman, edited by wayoutsidethelines

Edge of Thorns Lyrics as written by John O'neill John Oliva

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Edge Of Thorns song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    first i want to start by saying this reminds me of a friend of mine on multiple levels. he played the CD constantly over the summer when i worked with him, but the song definetly describes a part of his life with his ex.

    it's a song completly based on denial. how many times have we told ourselves, told others we're over a person whe we clearly arent? he's basically saying "I was your soulmate, i've known you forever, but i swear, i could get over you".

    i love the stage metaphor.

    stickysideinon September 23, 2002   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    Kinda like a reflection song about a failed relation. I did everything for you, cared about you, we aren't together now, I have to stop thinking about it.

    MRosson January 03, 2012   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    "A study made from winter Of summers long ago"

    This song is a bittersweet reminiscence of an old lover.

    "I have seen you on the edge of dawn Felt you there before you were born Balanced your dreams upon the edge of thorns"

    He remembers her as his soulmate, as perfection. He had done so much... But then comes what is, for me, the most significant part of the song:

    "But I don't think about you anymore"

    But, you do think about her. 'You', the speaker; 'you', the listener who identifies with the song. You're thinking about her as you wrote this song; every time you perform the song; every time you listen to the song; right now as you're reading this, as I'm typing this.

    I feel that this same theme (the same relationship) is revisited in 'Conversation Piece'.

    "I haven't thought about you for awhile..."

    wayoutsidethelineson February 17, 2014   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Anyone thought about the line “felt you here before you were born” as a narrative? We know the theme is regret. I just wonder if it’s about a lost (by whatever reason) child?

    Kilroy412on June 09, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sounds like a failed relationship. When they were together the lover committed many small treasons and tried to cover them with half-hearted reasons. Together they let too many of them slip away.

    She means well but is just misguided in her stage (her life) and so he had to end it even though he carries the strongest feelings for her. Ultimately he knows she carved her own grave by not taking proper care of her dreams and goals. He obviously still thinks a lot about her even as he screams he doesn't - what is meant is he just doesn't see her as a lover anymore.

    Even on those summers they were together she was somehow too cold and because of this the dreams they once shared are now buried forever in snow.

    kekon November 17, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I interpret this dream as being about parents who try to pre-decide the whole life for their kids. Fits with the quote "Felt you there before you were born. Balanced your dreams upon the edge of thorns". This isn\'t about romantic love, because you obviously shouldn\'t think about your romantic partner before they were born

    jean100001on January 16, 2022   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    They made a video for this song.

    samwaltonon June 28, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    MAN SAVATAGE FUCKING RULES CHRIS OLIVIA WAS THE MAN

    ironmatt666on May 16, 2008   Link

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