Follow the Tears

i created this account just for this: I think this song AND Double The Pain are both some underlying understanding Ronnie had about his own pain from the cancer.. he knew something was up now, I've read he wasn't diagnosed until December of 09 but he must be been in pain while writing and probably pushed it off it complete his dream but noted that his pain and suffering would probably kill him... btw none of this is fact, just speculation.. but I think 'follow the tears' mean follow the rain, "it's everywhere" because Ronnie's going to heaven.. for future generations listening, those looking for him, when he's gone.. Dio is beyond my favorite artist and I've listened to everything he's produced countless times but this song feels like a message for those seeking him after he knows he'll pass sooner or later..

someone trying to leave a sect he's in. but they still try to track him down so that he can be again a member of their commune. so he's seeking help.

I really like this song, it's kind of sad. I think it's about a person who`s been hiding from the people that one day they were His friends, maybe at school, maybe relatives. And this is beacuse something really bad happened to Him, to the person, and He feels that doesn't belong anymore to His previous world. That's why He is hiding behind His pain and nobody knows where is He. But, someday somebody of His previous world see this person on the streets and talks with Him, but He runs away to His own sad and lonely world. Just follow the tears.

I think it may be about some non-human entity (the devil, if you want), responsable for all the suffering of mankind - so, since you can't see the devil, wanna know where to find him? it's easy, follow the tears - he is behind the pain, the suffering, the woes, and so on, because he wanted to cause them.

"I sing, but I can't make a song"

This is a figure that Ronnie James Dio uses often on his songs.

Song: means an idea that, right or wrong, sounds well, and people sometimes believe in, and support. For example Socialism could be a "song", but that was just an example, the song is not about Socialism.

"I sing, but I can't make a song" means: "I know what is right/true, but nobody would believe me (or accept it)".

The idea behind this song is similar to that one from the song "Letters from Earth" from the Album Dehumanizer. Remember the same song has alternate lyrics from the 12" single version too.

So, someone wants to say something that he/she strongly believes to be true, but admits that is way to hard to accept or believe.

Like the guy on "Letters from Earth", this one is carrying very bad news too, or perhaps is just very pessimistic.

"So if you want o know where I've been Hiding all these years Follow the tears"

This song is about the "Search for the Truth". If you really want to know where the Truth has been hiding all these years, then follow the Tears. Ask those who are suffering, they'll tell you.

Why?

Because the World is a terrible place, and whoever is enjoying it must be living on a dream, unaware of the reality surrounding him/her.

Can anybody name a HEAVIER song than this? I love it!

it sounds like someone did something that could get him lynched/killed and has to hide to stay alive. he regrets what he did but has to stay hidden.

"Rise up but the hands all pull you down" - he can't escape what he's done because others would say he is no better than what he did years ago

"Don't drink from the cup of human kindness, it's a strange brew and poison to the touch" - he can't go ask for forgiveness, people just want justice

"'We'll be there for you.' I believed and I can tell you it's not true. Run away before they find you again" - if he speaks of what he did, people don't want to forgive, they just want justice

"The consequence of the conscience is that you'll be left somewhere swinging in the air" - they'll bring justice on you if you confess and admit, so keep hiding out and never mentioning it.