Where did we come from?
Why are we here?
Where do we go when we die?
What lies beyond
And what lay before?
Is anything certain in life?

They say, life is too short
The here and the now
And you're only given one shot
But could there be more
Have I lived before
Or could this be all that we've got?

If I die tomorrow
I'd be all right
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on

I used to be frightened of dying
I used to think death was the end
But that was before
I'm not scared anymore
I know that my soul will transcend

I may never find all the answers
I may never understand why
I may never prove
What I know to be true
But I know that I still have to try

If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on

Move on, be brave
Don't weep at my grave
Because I am no longer here
But please never let
Your memory of me disappear

Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My questioning mind
Has helped me to find
The meaning in my life again
Victoria's real
I finally feel
At peace with the girl in my dreams
And now that I'm here
It's perfectly clear
I found out what all of this means

If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on


Lyrics submitted by Idan

The Spirit Carries On Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Spirit Carries On song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentIf this wasn't about the story, I would love to have this played at my funeral. It's an awesome song and I remember almost tearing up the first time I ever heard it. Although I love this song, I would recommend you check out the live version from score. John does a solo at the beginning that's just absolutely beautiful.

    Still, fantastic song, fantastic band.
    CynicalNightmareon January 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General CommentDREAM THEATER RULZ!
    Red Shadowon May 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Commentfuck up
    this song kicks misunderstood's ass
    DT rule
    maddoxon July 02, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment"Move on, be brave
    Don't weep at my grave
    Because I am no longer here
    But please never let
    Your memory of me disappear"---my all time favorite part of this amazing song.
    trumpetrocks777on May 26, 2008   Link
  • +1
    Song MeaningAlso, this song is about the fact that Nicholas want's to find out the rest of the story, and who murdered Victoria;

    "I may never find all the answers
    I may never understand why
    I may never prove
    What I know to be true
    But I know that I still have to try"

    But Victoria tells him she is satisfied and he should move on;

    "Move on, be brave
    Don't weep at my grave
    Because I am no longer here
    But please never let
    Your memory of me disappear"

    Then Nicholas is okay with that and becomes at peace.
    Mordain607on May 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is soooo great!!!
    Ygramulon September 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentDT have very few songs that will fit a radio program if any at all...

    Radios does a lot of breaks in the middle... Which is bad and I think that when one listens to Dream Theater, one need to be a little bit more concentrated, because there's more to the music than in your "regular" songs, DT has always put special notice to the music it self, it is part of what makes DT special.

    I, for one, wouldn't mind if DT will never reach the radio, I don't think it should... People won't respect them they way they should.
    Idanon September 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is the greatest DT song there is, if anyone is to dispute that, you ahve serious problems.
    John Petrucci is a genius. Period.
    Mike Portnoy is god. Period
    Myung and Rudess are the angels decended. Period
    Labrie sounds alright on this track. Period
    Nuff' said
    mung_beanon May 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMr. Bean might want to listen to "Misunderstood." I think it's a great song, but how can you not laugh at it. There is the corny, "And, 'You're only given one SHaaat.'" I, at one point, would have sold my soul to be able to play the guitar solo in here. All the technical genius without the wankery that afflicts other rock solos.
    enchiridionon June 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love this song. Portnoy is perfection.

    Scenes from a Memory is my favorite album of all time (needess to say, also my favorite concept album) and this is one of the finest examples from it.
    Mugsyon March 20, 2005   Link

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