When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me


Lyrics submitted by sunny22au

Dante's Prayer Lyrics as written by Walter William Shillitto Aram Iljitsch Khachaturian

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Dante's Prayer song meanings
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    General Comment

    This song, like every other song in existence, can and will be interpreted in a million different ways. What it means to Loreena McKennitt may not be the same as what it means to me, and the next person who posts a comment may think it means something else entirely. It doesn't matter. Music is meant to be a personal experience. No one has the right to tell anyone else that their view is wrong, because music belongs to everyone.

    Now, as for me, I interpret the song as being inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, as a few have already stated. Dante was in a terrible dark forest all alone, depressed and horrified that he could have allowed himself to wander so far from God, and engage in all sorts of depravity and sin. He looked up to see the sun shining on the crest of a mountain, which he took to represent the glory of the Lord, and he knew he had to set himself right by reaching that light. But before he can ascend to Heaven and return to grace, he must journey through Hell and Purgatory, guided first by Virgil, then by Beatrice.

    The Divine Comedy tells a story that can be translated to fit all kinds of situations. Whether you're trying to reconnect with your God, trying to find your true self, or simply get through a dark time in your life, the story is easy to relate to, and so is this song. For Dante, Virgil and Beatrice guided him through his pain and despair, bringing him safely back to his faith. For someone else, this song could be about a friend who never left them to suffer a rough situation alone. It speaks, first and foremost, of love and hope.

    Taking that message of love and hope into consideration, how dare anyone criticize Rinyave for their connection to "Dante's Prayer!" Please, before you go around ridiculing others for things you know nothing about, take some time to educate yourself. Otherwise, you just let everyone know how ignorant you truly are. Lugh [pronounced Loo] is the name of an ancient Pagan sun God, not something stupid someone made up, so check your facts before you make a fool of yourself. I think it's beautiful that Rinyave is reminded of their spirit guide by this song.

    devilslittlesisteron December 09, 2010   Link

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