The Third, The Magical

Why are you so hung up on this bottle and alcoholism? As if there are no other words in the song... This is just one of the requisites of the song's atmosphere. The song clearly sings about reflection on how a person lives in memories and finds nothing on his path except grimaces for the sake of momentary rewards. What happens to a person when he breaks down and spends three days alone with his real self is a personal story for everyone. In the end, the chorus tells us about the sacredness of these three days, about how a person gives this thing meaning and is born again. Three days is a theme of a mystical and religious nature, this is associated with the departure of the soul from the body of a deceased person, three is the number of completion and perfection, a symbol of the end of a cycle.

Well it seems like it's about alcoholism. Anyone know what the rope is all about?

"Into the king's sea Feel the rope winding in me"

and

"With affectation This rope around me tightens again"

going off the acloholism theory, the rope could be the hold that his affliction has over him.

The song could also have to do with an identity crisis. "searching some answers concealed in my heart", "who I really am?", "a way to believe I'm born again".

What does he mean by "Who I really am " ? and how is The third the magical related ?

Seconding the alcoholism/ other addiction theory, "the third day, the magical" could mean the three day hump that most people go over when trying to quit smoking, drinking etc. where if you make it past the third day, you can make it longer.

It might be about alcoholism, but I don't think he's trying to sober up. Perhaps a three day drinking binge?

I have to agree with elvin wizard-"hunting those secrets with my deepest bottle" suggests drinking, "the touch Of oblivion" could refer to being totally smashed. As well as this alcohol removes your inhibitions and lets people see "who you really are"

--I completely agree with the alcoholism theory....i also believe that there could be some religious meaning to the song. Basically i think "the third day, the magical - a way to believe im born again" is representing a person who suffers through this addiction throughout life yes, but in this representation starting on a friday night. Maybe this continues over into saturday as well, either with more drinking or even just recovering from the damage from the previous night. Now, where the religious reference is obvious. "the third day" = sunday(church). "The magical - a way to believe im born again" = showing how many people believe they can just go to church and magically be saved or born again every single week!--

Other religious references: "ive been searching some answers concealed in my heart, the spirit within" = searching for sobriety and hoping that it is within him somewhere. And with the help of god(spirit)he will find it.

"with the screws on my lips, i am falling down into the kings sea" = not being able to open his mouth or speak up to confess his sins so he is falling into hell.

Other alcoholism references: "ive been hunting those secrets with my deepest bottle, but have found none." = turning to alcohol again for guidance but getting nowhere.

"feel the touch of oblivion, and now im floating" = feeling drunk.

"this rope around me tightens again, and i wonder who i really am" = the rope is representing his addiction which is pulling him back in making him wonder if he is the good person he hopes and tries to be or if he is just doomed to being an addict forever.

Im not quite sure yet about the rope winding in me?

It's about alcoholism, obviously. Slightly less obvious are the various allusions to Christianity and redemption. According to the New Testament, Jesus rose from the tomb on the third day after he was laid to rest. The entire Christian religion is based on this idea that God's son, Jesus, died on the cross as a kind of ultimate sacrifice to forgive all the sins of mankind. In various interviews, the vocalist drops several hints he is likely Christian. He mocks Darwin in one song, calls himself a "Man of the King" in another. The list continues on.

I imagine the song is about struggles with alcoholism and finding redemption in Jesus' perceived sacrifice, becoming a "born again" Christian.