Well, apparently, on a Long Island radio show called "Fingers' Metal Shop", Gail Fluge, who at that time was president of the Dream Theater fan club, stated that the song was about John Petrucci's struggle in dealing with his father having cancer... His father, John Sr., passed away in 1996.
Also, two other schools of thought have previously emerged on this subject: Suicide is the most obvious meaning. Pretty much every verse supports the theme of a person trying to talk someone out of killing themselves. "so die another day... better to save the mystery." Another equally valid point of view is that of mental illness, and trying to cope with it as the sufferer and/or family. "they took pictures of our dreams..."
Well, apparently, on a Long Island radio show called "Fingers' Metal Shop", Gail Fluge, who at that time was president of the Dream Theater fan club, stated that the song was about John Petrucci's struggle in dealing with his father having cancer... His father, John Sr., passed away in 1996.
Also, two other schools of thought have previously emerged on this subject: Suicide is the most obvious meaning. Pretty much every verse supports the theme of a person trying to talk someone out of killing themselves. "so die another day... better to save the mystery." Another equally valid point of view is that of mental illness, and trying to cope with it as the sufferer and/or family. "they took pictures of our dreams..."