Sea Within a Sea

I see this song as actually more depressing than the other interpretation on here suggests, but still, y'know, with a glint of hope in it. Here's what I think:

I think he's talking about life in general... 'Some say we walk alone' = we go through life alone, as in with no divine power or force like God or fate or anything like that guiding us, with just ourselves and other people to depend on -- an existential idea; 'Barefoot on wicked stone, no light' = In continuous pain and darkness, since life can be interpreted as essentially, as bad as it sounds, suffering and more suffering as you get older and older, and though there are always moments of contentment, for some (and maybe for Farris, who I assume wrote these lyrics, correct me if I'm wrong), all they see life as is pain and they can't focus on the positives; 'and sanctuary found never waits around awhile' = you always end up losing the happiness you find in life at some point or another;

'Marching to the sea their dreams stay in the shadows their dreams stay firmly rooted in the shallows' = The sea being an infinite abyss, sounds like it represents death here, so throughout our lives we head closer and closer, stuck on this path (hence 'marching'), to our unavoidable deaths, usually never fully realizing the dreams we have and leaving them behind once the burden of family and work and all that catches up with us; 'See the scraping sky See my destination there tonight' = Basically, even though he knows he's stuck on this path to death, he's still "aiming for the sky", he's resolved to try to achieve his dreams and whatnot unlike others who leave them behind as they get older. Not sure why 'scraping', maybe because his desire to get off this path and achieve what we wants is always nagging at him, 'scraping' at his mind.

'Will you leap to follow Will you turn and go Will your dreams stay rooted in the shallows' = He's asking someone if they'll join him in the new path he wants to take, or if they'll just be like everyone else.

'Though youth may fade with boyhood's cares New fear will catch us unawares I know it will' = After the confused, angsty fears of adolescence fade, with adulthood comes new fears.

'So you might say the path we share is one of danger and of fear until the end' = So, with that previous thought in mind, one can conclude that 'the path we share', life, is ruled by fear right up until death.

ANYHOW, sorry for the very long-winded comment, and it does sound pretty depressing this way, but that's my interpretation of this brilliant song.

• Viv

this song is terribly good

i wish it went for longer if that was possible go the horrors

Some say we walk alone //some say we essentially experience life solitarily Barefoot on wicked stone, no light //life is sharp, and dark-a cruel joke and sanctuary found never waits around awhile //those who you actually love/experience peace w/ finally, always leave

Marching to the sea //the further you go in life or relationships their dreams stay in the shadows //they pull back, they hide, because they are afraid their dreams stay firmly rooted in the shallows // too comfortable/scared to live outside of their shallow, normal lives See the scraping sky //look, there is more to life than that--see the depth of the beauty See my destination there tonight //I can't live a meaningless life, I need to continue on my journey

So say I walk alone, barefoot //so let's say I do walk alone, dealing with life by myself, w/ no one else on wicked stone tonight //dealing with the cuts, bruises and darkness of life Will you leap to follow //will you decide to be there with me Will you turn and go //or will you decide it's not worth it Will your dreams stay rooted in the shallows //will you just opt for an average, shallow life

See the scraping sky //there is more to life beyond what you perceive Far beyond the shallows //far beyond the shallow, mediocre life that most people choose Far beyond the reaches of the shadows //far beyond the reaches of one's fears/what they decide to hide behind

Though youth may fade with boyhood's cares //we're not getting any younger New fear will catch us unawares //there are always going to be new fears, when we're least expecting it
I know it will //it's a fact

So you might say //so one may say the path we share is one of danger //any path we decide to take, even if you stay where you are, is not safe and of fear //and will not protect you from life's cruelty until the end //until death, where we we will finally find everlasting peace

Immense song! I love it :D Can't wait for the new album.

i absolutely love this song, pure perfection! the whole progress is incredible, i wish it never ended... :)

this new album is going to be epic! their sounds has definitely grown and it s great!

just on a first glance i think this song is about taking a different route

a different path to others, and there are dangers and challenges on the way but there is a feeling that there is no other way to go, this is the best option, the only way possible conceivable

You are happy with your choices and there is no mention of another way

Love the new direction the horrors have taken, the Neu! Krautrock inspired work, its amazing.

i agree with VinceNoir, i think this song is about taking a different route from others, of being alone and not always thinking its the right choice, but knowing you had to do it, and also having someone else join him on this path, possibly a relationship.

'So you might say the path we share is one of danger and of fear until the end'

this suggests that the person has joined them, and that they are on that path alone together, knowing its dangerous, but being on it together til the very end.

GREAT SONG!

I love the instrumentals in this song... especially about half way in, it takes you.

Epic Song

I basically think this song is about life and death, and how they hold similiar aspects, hence "Sea within a sea" our journey never really ends.... the seven seas are connected and very massive, so you find one, but then here comes another...

Agree with burncity, but my opinion of this: and sanctuary found never waits around awhile

Marching to the sea their dreams stay in the shadows their dreams stay firmly rooted in the shallows

is a bit different.

and sanctuary found never waits around awhile= if you do find whatever you're looking for, it never stays for a long time so you move on to the next sanctuary...

Marching to the sea their dreams stay in the shadows their dreams stay firmly rooted in the shallows= most people never have their dreams come true, and die with them never coming true. their way to death= "marching to the sea" .... their dreams stay behind (and maybe others will have the same as them) Basically, when we die.... our dreams don't come with us, they stay far behind in the roots in the shallows..

the echoes in the end are haunting and beautiful, like life and death, and how the song just dies out slowly and quietly is great. the music composition and lyrics just work so well together. this would be a great song without either/or. Hope it made sense!