Lost Not Forgotten

Dream Theater

I am not immortal
I am just a man
A power-craving tyrant
Beyond the shadows in the sand

Men have come to fear me
Many bow and cry
Known across the desert
I am the one who will not die

I have faced the demons of our most desperate moments
I have been the one to defend our pride
I have worn the banner of my abandoned brothers
I will be the first one to give my life

Lost not forgotten
Reigning against the odds
Feared and respected living among the gods
Leading the empire
Spirit as black as coal
Lost not forgotten
King of the deathless soul

An epic novel no one's read
Pages torn and faded
The greatest story never told

Behold the kingdom I possess
Land of wealth and beauty
Where the streets are paved with gold

Once fearless and brave
A realm passed away
The ghosts of yesterday

Lost not forgotten
Reigning against the odds
Feared and respected living among the gods
Leading the empire
Spirit as black as coal
Lost not forgotten
King of the deathless soul

Lost not forgotten
Reigning against the odds
Feared and respected living among the gods
Leading the empire
Brutal and heartless
Vanishing further
Into the darkness
Lost not forgotten
King of the deathless soul


Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64

Lost Not Forgotten Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Lost Not Forgotten song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentIt almost feels like the perspective of Genghis Khan to me. Also, the intro Petrucci/Ruddess unison is one of the most impressive displays of their skills that I've ever heard.
    Bandin03on September 22, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General CommentPetrucci said its about an ancient Persian army/empire. Dunno exactly when though.
    Satchuratoron December 04, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentSounds like it's from the perspective of the ghost of an ancient pharoah
    corerulezon September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBecause of the first 2 verses I thought this one is about a dictator somewhere in the middle east. You know, a megalomaniac, who thinks of himself as some kind of god.

    I found it to be a prelude to Outcry as in that song the band supports the revolutionists who fight for their freedom.
    Traveller69on September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis reminds me of that Ozymandias poem I had to read and interpret in my senior year of High School.
    NovaEraMDMon August 25, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think this song is about Mike Portnoy (former drummer for Dream Theater) leaving the band.
    " I am not immortal
    I am just a man
    A power-craving tyrant
    Beyond the shadows in the sand"

    In that way describing his personality.

    "Leading the empire
    Brutal and heartless

    thus meaning that he is one of the founding members of the band and that they lost a big part of the band when he left.

    They do use the whole 'pharoah' metaphor to describe Portnoy as a king. read the following:

    "Behold the kingdom I possess
    Land of wealth and beauty
    Where the streets are paved with gold"

    He was treated like a 'king' when he was still in the band.

    "Vanishing further
    Into the darkness.."
    Lost not forgotten
    King of the deathless soul"
    meaning he will always be in the band members and fans' hearts.
    Somerandomspecon November 21, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song MeaningPetrucci said: "The mood of the song always reminded me of an old-time epic film like Ben-Hur. So I wrote lyrics that are somewhat historical about this ancient Persian elite fighting force that kind of died out. Again, a good example of my love for storytelling and linking music to words."

    However, I love getting my own meanings out of songs (after all that is the beauty of an art ... it is open to interpretation).
    sokornyon September 10, 2014   Link

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