Lips of Ashes Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Tabuckt 

Cover art for Lips of Ashes lyrics by Porcupine Tree

Probably my favorite PT song.

Yes, I believe you may be onto something GroovyJude. I've always imagined this song to be about drugs and/or death. Haven't known or heard anything much further than that though.

I have a question. In the beginning, what are those weird strings? Is that a specific instrument? I know a hammered dulcimer is also used towards the beginning, but what about in the VERY beginning?

I know that this is a response to a very old post, but I felt inclined to reply anyways hoping you would still see this, since I am always intrigued by sounds that remain a bit vague. What you're hearing on the absolute very beginning is the dulcimer in combination with tubular bells.

it's a santoor, at least it sounds like it... it's an indian stringed instrument, google it

While I do not exactly have an answer to your question, something interesting is that intro is GREATLY expanded, and clearly based off of, 43553E99.01 by Bass Communion, one of Steven Wilson's other side projects. It's awesome, check it out.