Trial of Tears

Dream Theater

Under the sun
There's nothing to hide
Under the moon
A stranger waits inside
People disappear
The music fades away
Splashing through the rain
I'll dream with them one day

It's raining, raining
On the streets of New York City
It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven

I may have wasted all those years
They're not worth their time in tears
I may have spent too long in darkness
In the warmth of my fears

Take a look at yourself
Not at anyone else
And tell me what you see

I know the air is cold
I know the streets are cruel
But I'll enjoy the ride today

It's raining, raining
On the streets of New York City
It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven
Raining deep in heaven

I may have wasted all those years
They're not worth their time in tears
I may have spent too long in darkness
In the warmth of my fears
And as I walk through all my myths
Rising and sinking like the waves
With my thoughts wrapped around me
Through a trial of tears

Hidden by disguise
Stumbling in a world
Feeling uninspired
He gets into his car
Not within his eyes to see
Open up, open up
Not much better than the man you hate

Still awake
I continue to move along
Cultivating my own nonsense
Welcome to the wasteland
Where you'll find ashes
Nothing but ashes
Still awake
Bringing change
Bringing movement, bringing life
A silent prayer
Thrown away
Disappearing in the air
Rising
Sinking
Raining deep inside me
Nowhere to turn
I look for a way back home

It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven
It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven
It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven
It's raining, raining
Raining deep in heaven


Lyrics submitted by Idan

Trial of Tears Lyrics as written by John Myung Derek G. Sherinian

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Trial of Tears song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentThis one was written by John Myung (his songs are always damn near impossible to crack...), and I know he used to live in Chicago, and later moved to NY. It could be a personal experience, though I've never heard anything about him having to go back or nearly having to go back... I still think it's a reflection on some kind of serious family financial problem they had when he was younger, or something.

    "People disappear
    The music fades away
    Splashing through the rain
    I'll dream with them one day"

    He went to high school with John Petrucci and Kevin Moore. Maybe "I'll dream with them one day" is a reference to DT.
    Personifriedon June 13, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentWhy not more comments? This song is great
    hellarack99on July 28, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentEveryone has made good observations about the song's lyrics. Did anyone notice some of the band's influences creeping into the song? The intro sounds like Dream Theater's tribute (or rip-off depending on your point of view) to "Xanadu" by Rush. The instrumental section in the middle of the song is very reminiscent of the instrumental solo section of "Losing It" by Rush. And perhaps the most obvious influence is in "The Wasteland." The beginning of that section almost verbatim copies the melody and chords of verses of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles.
    passionateartson November 09, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General CommentTo my mind it's these lines in which the "meaning" of the song concentrates the most vividly.

    "As I walk through all my myths
    Rising and sinking like the waves
    With my thoughts wrapped around me
    Through a trial of tears"

    It's about having become jaded and uninspired, facing an inner trial which judges that one has "wasted all those years", it's about doubting who you really are.
    That also goes together with:

    "Under the sun, there is nothing to hide
    Under the moon, a stranger waits inside"

    When the sun is high you have nothing to hide, all is clear and your path is ahead of you, but then comes a time when you notice the sun is gone and the moon is up there, and doubt arises, you ask "who am I?" and thus "a stranger waits inside".
    The rain that's mentioned throughout is a deliberately created setting for thoughts like these. Rain is like tears in a way.
    kristaps_kon February 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSeems to me like this song is about a person who ran away from home to NYC, thinking it's heaven, realising it's not, and after failing to make it, looking for a way home.

    It's one of DT's best, IMO.
    life_as_lucidon March 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentRight, this song is awesome, really like it
    f15x28on December 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHey, the bass line of this song is exceptionally good...
    f15x28on December 12, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song is one of my favorites
    I saw dream theater yesterda in mexico and I saw them 2 years ag on the Yes tour, and they played this song, I was so excited when I heard the first notes, man..
    one of the best lyrics by myung
    always&neveron March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYou bastard :)
    I dont know if ill ever get to see them live in concert being that i live in Australia :/
    props to this song!!... gives me shivers every time i hear it... especially part 3.. such a beautifully haunting piece of music
    Upintheskyon March 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentA great song. "I'ts raining, raining..." this part always gives me the creeps (in a good way), but there is just something about the whole song... maybe it's the melodies, maybe it's the lyrics.. can't say

    These gyus are just so good at conveying emotions through their songs, there is something special in almost every of their songs.
    Azaon May 27, 2006   Link

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