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The Phantom of the Opera Lyrics
I've been looking so long for you now you won't get away from my grasp.
You've been living so long in hiding in hiding behind that false mask.
And you know and I know that you ain't got long now to last.
Your looks and your feelings are just the remains of your past.
You're standing in the wings, there you wait for the curtain to fall.
Knowing the terror and holding you have on us all.
Yeah, I know that you're gonna scratch me, maim me and maul.
You know I'm helpless from your mesmerising cat call.
Keep your distance, walk away, don't take his bait.
Don't you stray, don't fade away.
Watch your step, he's out to get you, come what may.
Don't you stray, from the narrow way.
I'm running and hiding in my dreams you're always there.
You're the Phantom of the Opera, you're the devil, you're just out to scare.
You damaged my mind and my soul it just floats through the air.
Haunt me, you taunt me, you torture me back at your lair.
I've loved this song since first hearing it in 1982. My bands always played it back in the 80's (I'm bassist/vocalist, and a huge 'Arry fan).
I see allusions to Christianity in "don't stray from the Narrow Way," and "you're the devil...", and seeing in this song a warning that uses the STORY of Phantom of the Opera as a METAPHOR for life, and how the devil is always hiding around the corner, masked, the great deceiver...
And check the line "and you know and I know that you aint got long now to last" - think about the Biblical verse at the beginning of Number of the Beast, REVELATION 12:12 "...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." (KJV)
And you know what, I was not a Christian when I discovered Iron Maiden in 1982, but in the late 80's I gave my heart to Christ... As I've grown in Biblical knowledge (now actually holding a BA in Theology, having trained to be a Pastor... But becoming a Special Education teacher instead...), I've grown to see many allusions to Christian scriptures and concepts, especially in 'Arry's writings...
yeah, i see what you mean OmegaThesis, more that are kinda the same are Rime Of The Ancient Mariner and Holy Smoke, Awesome song
If you guys like the "running" feeling, you should check out more Maiden. Their songs sound like that frequently; it's called galloping and it's friggin' awesome!
great song, but the version to listen to is the one one "Maiden Japan" 10 times better.
great soong! you can chill out by hearing it ;) .
hmm judging by the lyrics i dont think slap bass ninja is right but i wouldnt know.
great song
The Phantom Of The Opera was an old opera/play about a former stage performer who was sevearly burned on one side of his face and had to wear a mask. He could'nt find work anymore. He hid in an opera house terrorizing the performers.
That's not entirely accurate. The Phantom of the Opera was a originally a book, although it has been adapted for the stage (and cinema) a few times, most notable the Andrew Lloyd Webber version. This song was written before then, I hasten to add!
I think that this song really is brilliant the solos in it RULE