A ballad of dark queen echoes through night
As he flees the curse of gods, the pharaoh`s wrath
1001 nights unseen
The philosopher and the queen
Ancient mariner in a sea of sand
The burning beauty his tomb to die for
1001 nights unseen
The philosopher and the queen
Horizon`s swarming with death
Run!
Heaven has a darkened face
Dunes are soaring, as on a chase
Caravan of the cursed
Chasing him across the waves
May he now rest under aegis of mirage
As the sands slowly turn to Elysian fields
1001 nights unseen
The philosopher and the queen
As he flees the curse of gods, the pharaoh`s wrath
The philosopher and the queen
The burning beauty his tomb to die for
The philosopher and the queen
Horizon`s swarming with death
Run!
Dunes are soaring, as on a chase
Caravan of the cursed
Chasing him across the waves
As the sands slowly turn to Elysian fields
The philosopher and the queen
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Huh.... Could "1001 nights" refer to the Tales of the Arabian Nights? The Philosopher and Queen, perhaps on layer could they be the same (in reference to Schezerazade, the princess who entertained the Sultan with the 1001 tales?) It seems Tuomas likes to layer his meanings with literary allusions...could this be one? The title somewhat fits the theme...
Yes, I think it is! I always think of Scheherazade and Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights in the original Arabic version) when I listen to this song. All of the lyrics fit. I often think of Lawrence of Arabia, too, but I'm not certain that it's as close of a fit. It has been far too many years since I last watched the movie, and I have yet to read the book.
Yes, I think it is! I always think of Scheherazade and Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights in the original Arabic version) when I listen to this song. All of the lyrics fit. I often think of Lawrence of Arabia, too, but I'm not certain that it's as close of a fit. It has been far too many years since I last watched the movie, and I have yet to read the book.
Nightwish is one of the most literate bands I have encountered, and I think that's why I return to their music time and time again. People...
Nightwish is one of the most literate bands I have encountered, and I think that's why I return to their music time and time again. People who are less familiar with classic literature, such as Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights), are likely to miss the references in many of Tuomas Holopainan's lyrics.
I find it very difficult to believe that this song has anything to do with any kind of relationship between Tuomas and Tarja. I think too many Nightwish fans will read that into ANY song from Nightwish. It's nothing other than a projection of their own wishful thinking.
Does this make anyone think of a relationship between Tarja and Tuomas? The philosopher = Tuomas The queen = Tarja
"May he now rest under aegis of mirage As the sands slowly turn to Elysian fields"
He's now without her, may he be under some form of protection the experiences and places they've been (sand leaves traces) now turn to Elysian fields. Elysium was a sort of form of Heaven, in christianity.
I'm just trying to find what made Tuomas write this song. It just sounds like some unknown relationship Tarja and him had. Either way, one of my favourite songs on the album. =D
I agree (once again) with LastoftheWilds. This song does not make me think of Tuomas and Tarja at all.
Sounds to me like a Philosopher ran away with the Queen (because he loves her ^^) The pharaoh's wrath, is the curse that he's been given for running of with the Queen.
"The burning beauty his tomb to die for." The philosopher realizes his love will be his death, but he doesn't give up.
"Horizon`s swarming with death Run!"
and "Caravan of the cursed Chasing him across the waves"
This stands for the army that is chasing them, send by the Pharaoh.
This song is about the Sahara Desert and life there. The song makes references to pharaohs and queens and evokes an Egyptian mood through its use of the harmonic minor scale.The song also weaves in allusions to Greek mythology, mentioning "aegis of mirage" and the "Elysian Fields" in the lyrics
I agree with the comments about the connections to the desert life and greek mythology. I enjoy these times where ancient mythology has been placed in Nightwish songs. I am not an expert with mythology, and had to look up what Elysian Fields were, they are a place where heros and virtuous rest in death. To me this song is about someone running from the violence and problems a person faces in the world (horizons swarming with death) to a far away remote place (the desert) and even as he tries to flee his problems they tend to follow him, and in the end this person finds rest in death. Thats what it means to me.
Tuomas said in aninterview that he wants to forget about Tarja, that he's being fed up with always answer the same question about their relationship and hat only ONE song from the album is about Tarja and this is "bye bye beautiful". Someone on "songmeanings" said that most of the songs are about Tarja that's complete nonsense, just read/watch the interviews or go to the offical site. thanks, I don't know what this song is about, maybe one more little tale about "1001 nights" ... sry about my english, I sit in on learning it...
I agree with math nerd. I think it's about Scheherazade, and her tales of 1001 nights
I dont know if its just about old stories because they refer to the ancient mariner which is from the poem the rime of the ancient mariner and his whole crew dies while he is at sea because they have no water to drink and it becomes super hot and they die of dehydration. so i think thats what the sea of sand refers to.
The ancient mariner in this context is likely to refer to Sinbad. In Eastern tradition, Sinbad was a sailor, and not just an adventurer.
The ancient mariner in this context is likely to refer to Sinbad. In Eastern tradition, Sinbad was a sailor, and not just an adventurer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinbad_the_Sailor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinbad_the_Sailor
I personally really like the Scheherazade theory, since I love the story in general. But I also see the point that bayern1 is making. I like how Tuomas layers multiple allusions onto his songs, so they're never about just one thing.
I have no idea what the song is about, but simply by reading the lyrics, it reminds me of the Mummy...seeing as Tuomas is a (well, at least like to be) a film music composer...so I am just thinking it may be one of the inspirations of this piece...