I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Where would you rather be?
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Anywhere, anywhere but here
Anywhere, anywhere but here
On the edge of sleep, I was drifting for half the night
Anxious and restless, pressed down by the darkness
Bound up and wound up so tight
So tight
So many decisions, a million revisions
Caught between darkness and light
Wilderness of mirrors
World of polished steel
Gears and iron chains
Turn the grinding wheel
I run between the shadows
Some are phantoms, some are real
Where would you rather be?
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Where would you rather be?
The doubt and the fear
I know would all disappear
Anywhere but here
Anywhere but here
On the edge of sleep, I heard voices behind the door
The known and the nameless, familiar and faceless
My angels and my demons at war
At war
Which one will lose depends on what I choose
Or maybe which voice I ignore
Wilderness of mirrors
Streets of cold desire
My precious sense of honor
Just a shield of rusty wire
I hold against the chaos
And the cross of holy fire
Where would you rather be?
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Where would you rather be?
The doubt and the fear
I know would all disappear
Anywhere but here
Anywhere but here
Wilderness of mirrors
So easy to deceive
My precious sense of rightness
Is sometimes so naive
So that which I imagine
Is that which I believe
On the edge of sleep, I awoke to a sun so bright
Rested and fearless, cheered by your nearness
I knew which direction was right
Was right
The case had been tried by the jury inside
The choice between darkness and light
The choice between darkness and light
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Anywhere, anywhere but here
Anywhere, anywhere but here
On the edge of sleep, I was drifting for half the night
Anxious and restless, pressed down by the darkness
Bound up and wound up so tight
So tight
So many decisions, a million revisions
Caught between darkness and light
Wilderness of mirrors
World of polished steel
Gears and iron chains
Turn the grinding wheel
I run between the shadows
Some are phantoms, some are real
Where would you rather be?
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Where would you rather be?
The doubt and the fear
I know would all disappear
Anywhere but here
Anywhere but here
On the edge of sleep, I heard voices behind the door
The known and the nameless, familiar and faceless
My angels and my demons at war
At war
Which one will lose depends on what I choose
Or maybe which voice I ignore
Wilderness of mirrors
Streets of cold desire
My precious sense of honor
Just a shield of rusty wire
I hold against the chaos
And the cross of holy fire
Where would you rather be?
Anywhere, anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
Where would you rather be?
The doubt and the fear
I know would all disappear
Anywhere but here
Anywhere but here
Wilderness of mirrors
So easy to deceive
My precious sense of rightness
Is sometimes so naive
So that which I imagine
Is that which I believe
On the edge of sleep, I awoke to a sun so bright
Rested and fearless, cheered by your nearness
I knew which direction was right
Was right
The case had been tried by the jury inside
The choice between darkness and light
The choice between darkness and light
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Duality in every person. As humans, we do things we know we are not supposed to do. And we make excuses to justify those things, then later regret them. 'Wilderness of mirrors' represents the illusions we allow ourselves to be fooled by. Drugs and addiction could be examples of this...'where would you rather be? Anywhere but here' could mean someone not being happy with their state in the present. Again, drugs and needing to get high....From what I understand, Neil was quite fond of cocaine...whether this inspired the lyrics? We may never know.