"THE GRUDGE
This is whear I lose it... "In the ages of burning times" obviously refers to the times of witch-hunting and the inquisition, but what's the part of the "cunning man"? anyway, this is where the witch confesses to the boy in love with her that, after all, she is REALLY a witch plaguing the town ("though it hurts I must tell you - I am truly the one behind it all")
THE CURSE
ehm.... help?
THE FLAMES
This seems to paint a scenery of the witch being burned, but why is she singing again "unless morning finds all of them somehow hexed", like if it isn't really over yet and the town is in for some deep trouble?"
Cunning Men were people in Europe in the 16th-18th Centuries. They were often seen as Wizards and Witches in their own regards, but they sold their services, ranging from protection against witchcraft to making love potions. The Roman Catholic Church frowned upon Cunning Men and Women, as they were also using a form of Wizardry, which was against their Laws. However, Priests were often found to employ their magic for protection. This continued throughout and even after the Reformation with little change.
That being said... I think the person who says 'I am truly the one behind it all' is the guy who was leading the witch-hunts. Since people went to Cunning Men for protection, and trusted them, it wouldn't be hard for him to manipulate that trust. Perhaps his was jealous of the love between the girl and boy, and because of that, held a grudge? That also ties in really well with the section entitled 'Envy,' now that I think of it.
Re-read it. In 'The Witch-Hunt,' they say 'She is the One,' with a capital O in One. Because of that, she is killed. In 'The Grudge,' the Cunning Man says 'I am the One,' also with a capital O in One. The only question becomes, is the guy who leads the mob (And says 'Come with me father,' so we aren't confused about who I mean) the Cunning Man, or is it the boy (The one in love with the girl who was killed)? The only reason there's a question about that is because of this line...
'In the age of burning times, you saved my life
...The blaze grew ever higher.
I was your Cunning Man... hiding in the light,
Now your land shall go sour...'
Why would she save the life of the guy who had her killed for being a witch? This would mean the Cunning Man was the boy (She died, and because of that, he lived). And that, by extension, would mean HE is the One. In this event, the 'Innocent Boy' is the bad guy (He let the girl he loved, die), and as such, the mob is good.
If the 'Innocent Boy' really is the bad guy, it would mean he would be the one singing in 'The Curse.' I find this to be unlikely, however, as Tony gets the lighter tone in his voice (Which every point in the song has, until then, defined the Innocent Boy) in 'The Flames.' That being said, it's entirely possible that the one singing 'The Curse' isn't the Innocent Boy OR the Mob-Leader.
Skipping to the end of the song, the Innocent Boy sings 'But they paid someone to say their torment has a name.' If the mob offered a reward for exposing whoever was causing the bad fortune (The girl was already dead, mind you), the Cunning Man/Mob Leader may have said it was the boy. Cunning Men, after all, did offer Fortune Telling, and, as part of their Protection from Magic, they claimed to be able to trace the magic back to the one who cast it. Would it really be so hard to believe that the Cunning Man/Mob Leader would sell out the Innocent Boy (Who is, at this point, an adult) to the mob for money?
Let me re-hash my main beliefs...
Three main characters - Innocent Girl, Innocent Boy, Cunning Man/Mob Leader.
-Innocent Girl killed at beginning of song.
-Innocent Boy killed at end of song.
--Two are together in the afterlife.
-Cunning Man/Mob Leader lives.
--Cunning Man is the One (Person who is responsible for misfortune in town)
--Cunning Man abuses the trust of the people to have innocent people killed so that he can live.
Innocent Girl Sings:
-The Premonition (Paragraph 1)
Innocent Boy Sings:
-The Premonition (Single Line Paragraph 2)
-The Witch-Hunt (Up until quotes)
--The Witch-Hung (Possibly the Quotes as well, in the form of quoting what was said about the girl)
-Exposing the Heathen (Paragraph 2)
-The Fear (Paragraph 1)
--The Curse (Possibly)
-The Flames (Up until quotes)
-...Together, Today, For All Eternity
Cunning Man/Mob Leader Sings:
--The Witch-Hunt (Possibly - Quotes)
-Exposing the Heathen (Paragraph 1)
-Envy
-The Fear (Paragraph 2)
-The Grudge (Seems most likely, even though the 'You saved my life' makes no sense)
--The Curse (Possibly)
Unknown Person
-The Flames (Quotes)
You are insanely knowledgeable in Europe circa 16/17th Century. Major props to you and thanks for clearing up the Cunning Man business. :)
Personally I am much more enamored with the romance aspect of this story, but all of your information gives the song a lot more context and probably is the most precise and confident interpretation I've seen.
Thanks again for your contribution!
You are insanely knowledgeable in Europe circa 16/17th Century. Major props to you and thanks for clearing up the Cunning Man business. :)
Personally I am much more enamored with the romance aspect of this story, but all of your information gives the song a lot more context and probably is the most precise and confident interpretation I've seen.
Thanks again for your contribution!
No problem. I am happy my review was able to clear some things up for everyone.
No problem. I am happy my review was able to clear some things up for everyone.
Also, I forgot to mention 'Skyclad' is ritualistic nudity. 'Deathaura' has no real meaning, but Sonata Arctica is good at mashing things together (Shamandalie) - A 'Death Aura' is probably just what it sounds like; an aura of death.
Also, I forgot to mention 'Skyclad' is ritualistic nudity. 'Deathaura' has no real meaning, but Sonata Arctica is good at mashing things together (Shamandalie) - A 'Death Aura' is probably just what it sounds like; an aura of death.
Wow, you just rule :P now it's late and I really can't make out much off it, but I'm sure going to re-read it in the next days to finally catch up with what happens in the song ;-)
Wow, you just rule :P now it's late and I really can't make out much off it, but I'm sure going to re-read it in the next days to finally catch up with what happens in the song ;-)
This must be some story Tony thought of, exactly like White Pearls, Black Oceans, and until he explains the story, probably there's gonna be a lot of confusion about it...
This must be some story Tony thought of, exactly like White Pearls, Black Oceans, and until he explains the story, probably there's gonna be a lot of confusion about it...
how i see it ...
guilty girl killed at "the witch hunt"
guilty boy killed at "...Together, Today, For All Eternity"
*cunning man is "guilty boy" (-I was your cunning man-)
how i see it ...
guilty girl killed at "the witch hunt"
guilty boy killed at "...Together, Today, For All Eternity"
*cunning man is "guilty boy" (-I was your cunning man-)
I think its about a beautiful woman being acused by a town for witchery and burned to death.
the protagonist that is in love with her being angry at the town for killing her love (-my only love had to die-) and then taking revenge with the town by throwing a curse (one similar to the one thrown by moses to the egypcian empire, read...
I think its about a beautiful woman being acused by a town for witchery and burned to death.
the protagonist that is in love with her being angry at the town for killing her love (-my only love had to die-) and then taking revenge with the town by throwing a curse (one similar to the one thrown by moses to the egypcian empire, read "The Curse") and then setting the town on fire (read THE FLAMES NOTE- when the voice says: "Unless morning finds all of them somehow hexed..." its the ghost of the woman)
and then being caught and killed by the town.
PS: this song could be directly directed with another Sonata song called "Wildfire" hear it its also very good.
@RyuheiAoi
A friend pointed out that the boy is the witch. Which makes sense to me now. The woman is being accused of being a witch, the mob kills the innocent woman. The boy gets mad and curses the people, because he is actually the witch ("I was your Cunning Man, hiding in the light"). The boy's life is saved because not he, but the woman was killed ("In the age of burning times, you saved my life").
@RyuheiAoi
A friend pointed out that the boy is the witch. Which makes sense to me now. The woman is being accused of being a witch, the mob kills the innocent woman. The boy gets mad and curses the people, because he is actually the witch ("I was your Cunning Man, hiding in the light"). The boy's life is saved because not he, but the woman was killed ("In the age of burning times, you saved my life").
Also "I am truly the one behind it all".
And "I remember how you told me,
Your kin's different, (...)...
Also "I am truly the one behind it all".
And "I remember how you told me,
Your kin's different, (...) I was just about to say the same thing".
"THE GRUDGE This is whear I lose it... "In the ages of burning times" obviously refers to the times of witch-hunting and the inquisition, but what's the part of the "cunning man"? anyway, this is where the witch confesses to the boy in love with her that, after all, she is REALLY a witch plaguing the town ("though it hurts I must tell you - I am truly the one behind it all")
THE CURSE ehm.... help?
THE FLAMES This seems to paint a scenery of the witch being burned, but why is she singing again "unless morning finds all of them somehow hexed", like if it isn't really over yet and the town is in for some deep trouble?"
Cunning Men were people in Europe in the 16th-18th Centuries. They were often seen as Wizards and Witches in their own regards, but they sold their services, ranging from protection against witchcraft to making love potions. The Roman Catholic Church frowned upon Cunning Men and Women, as they were also using a form of Wizardry, which was against their Laws. However, Priests were often found to employ their magic for protection. This continued throughout and even after the Reformation with little change.
That being said... I think the person who says 'I am truly the one behind it all' is the guy who was leading the witch-hunts. Since people went to Cunning Men for protection, and trusted them, it wouldn't be hard for him to manipulate that trust. Perhaps his was jealous of the love between the girl and boy, and because of that, held a grudge? That also ties in really well with the section entitled 'Envy,' now that I think of it.
Re-read it. In 'The Witch-Hunt,' they say 'She is the One,' with a capital O in One. Because of that, she is killed. In 'The Grudge,' the Cunning Man says 'I am the One,' also with a capital O in One. The only question becomes, is the guy who leads the mob (And says 'Come with me father,' so we aren't confused about who I mean) the Cunning Man, or is it the boy (The one in love with the girl who was killed)? The only reason there's a question about that is because of this line...
'In the age of burning times, you saved my life ...The blaze grew ever higher. I was your Cunning Man... hiding in the light, Now your land shall go sour...'
Why would she save the life of the guy who had her killed for being a witch? This would mean the Cunning Man was the boy (She died, and because of that, he lived). And that, by extension, would mean HE is the One. In this event, the 'Innocent Boy' is the bad guy (He let the girl he loved, die), and as such, the mob is good.
If the 'Innocent Boy' really is the bad guy, it would mean he would be the one singing in 'The Curse.' I find this to be unlikely, however, as Tony gets the lighter tone in his voice (Which every point in the song has, until then, defined the Innocent Boy) in 'The Flames.' That being said, it's entirely possible that the one singing 'The Curse' isn't the Innocent Boy OR the Mob-Leader.
Skipping to the end of the song, the Innocent Boy sings 'But they paid someone to say their torment has a name.' If the mob offered a reward for exposing whoever was causing the bad fortune (The girl was already dead, mind you), the Cunning Man/Mob Leader may have said it was the boy. Cunning Men, after all, did offer Fortune Telling, and, as part of their Protection from Magic, they claimed to be able to trace the magic back to the one who cast it. Would it really be so hard to believe that the Cunning Man/Mob Leader would sell out the Innocent Boy (Who is, at this point, an adult) to the mob for money?
Let me re-hash my main beliefs...
Three main characters - Innocent Girl, Innocent Boy, Cunning Man/Mob Leader. -Innocent Girl killed at beginning of song. -Innocent Boy killed at end of song. --Two are together in the afterlife. -Cunning Man/Mob Leader lives. --Cunning Man is the One (Person who is responsible for misfortune in town) --Cunning Man abuses the trust of the people to have innocent people killed so that he can live.
Innocent Girl Sings: -The Premonition (Paragraph 1) Innocent Boy Sings: -The Premonition (Single Line Paragraph 2) -The Witch-Hunt (Up until quotes) --The Witch-Hung (Possibly the Quotes as well, in the form of quoting what was said about the girl) -Exposing the Heathen (Paragraph 2) -The Fear (Paragraph 1) --The Curse (Possibly) -The Flames (Up until quotes) -...Together, Today, For All Eternity Cunning Man/Mob Leader Sings: --The Witch-Hunt (Possibly - Quotes) -Exposing the Heathen (Paragraph 1) -Envy -The Fear (Paragraph 2) -The Grudge (Seems most likely, even though the 'You saved my life' makes no sense) --The Curse (Possibly) Unknown Person -The Flames (Quotes)
You are insanely knowledgeable in Europe circa 16/17th Century. Major props to you and thanks for clearing up the Cunning Man business. :) Personally I am much more enamored with the romance aspect of this story, but all of your information gives the song a lot more context and probably is the most precise and confident interpretation I've seen. Thanks again for your contribution!
You are insanely knowledgeable in Europe circa 16/17th Century. Major props to you and thanks for clearing up the Cunning Man business. :) Personally I am much more enamored with the romance aspect of this story, but all of your information gives the song a lot more context and probably is the most precise and confident interpretation I've seen. Thanks again for your contribution!
No problem. I am happy my review was able to clear some things up for everyone.
No problem. I am happy my review was able to clear some things up for everyone.
Also, I forgot to mention 'Skyclad' is ritualistic nudity. 'Deathaura' has no real meaning, but Sonata Arctica is good at mashing things together (Shamandalie) - A 'Death Aura' is probably just what it sounds like; an aura of death.
Also, I forgot to mention 'Skyclad' is ritualistic nudity. 'Deathaura' has no real meaning, but Sonata Arctica is good at mashing things together (Shamandalie) - A 'Death Aura' is probably just what it sounds like; an aura of death.
Wow, you just rule :P now it's late and I really can't make out much off it, but I'm sure going to re-read it in the next days to finally catch up with what happens in the song ;-)
Wow, you just rule :P now it's late and I really can't make out much off it, but I'm sure going to re-read it in the next days to finally catch up with what happens in the song ;-)
This must be some story Tony thought of, exactly like White Pearls, Black Oceans, and until he explains the story, probably there's gonna be a lot of confusion about it...
This must be some story Tony thought of, exactly like White Pearls, Black Oceans, and until he explains the story, probably there's gonna be a lot of confusion about it...
how i see it ... guilty girl killed at "the witch hunt" guilty boy killed at "...Together, Today, For All Eternity" *cunning man is "guilty boy" (-I was your cunning man-)
how i see it ... guilty girl killed at "the witch hunt" guilty boy killed at "...Together, Today, For All Eternity" *cunning man is "guilty boy" (-I was your cunning man-)
I think its about a beautiful woman being acused by a town for witchery and burned to death. the protagonist that is in love with her being angry at the town for killing her love (-my only love had to die-) and then taking revenge with the town by throwing a curse (one similar to the one thrown by moses to the egypcian empire, read...
I think its about a beautiful woman being acused by a town for witchery and burned to death. the protagonist that is in love with her being angry at the town for killing her love (-my only love had to die-) and then taking revenge with the town by throwing a curse (one similar to the one thrown by moses to the egypcian empire, read "The Curse") and then setting the town on fire (read THE FLAMES NOTE- when the voice says: "Unless morning finds all of them somehow hexed..." its the ghost of the woman) and then being caught and killed by the town.
PS: this song could be directly directed with another Sonata song called "Wildfire" hear it its also very good.
@RyuheiAoi A friend pointed out that the boy is the witch. Which makes sense to me now. The woman is being accused of being a witch, the mob kills the innocent woman. The boy gets mad and curses the people, because he is actually the witch ("I was your Cunning Man, hiding in the light"). The boy's life is saved because not he, but the woman was killed ("In the age of burning times, you saved my life").
@RyuheiAoi A friend pointed out that the boy is the witch. Which makes sense to me now. The woman is being accused of being a witch, the mob kills the innocent woman. The boy gets mad and curses the people, because he is actually the witch ("I was your Cunning Man, hiding in the light"). The boy's life is saved because not he, but the woman was killed ("In the age of burning times, you saved my life").
Also "I am truly the one behind it all". And "I remember how you told me, Your kin's different, (...)...
Also "I am truly the one behind it all". And "I remember how you told me, Your kin's different, (...) I was just about to say the same thing".