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Mind
Epica is one of the few Dutch bands I listen to regularly. I love both their symphonic metal music and their lyrics. Their song ‘Design Your Universe‘ has helped me through some trying times.
Concerning the prompt ‘Mind’ however, for this Song Lyric Sunday, I chose the song ‘The Essence of Silence’ by this band.
Lockdown Depression
The lyrics resonate with how I often feel, especially now during Covid lockdowns and curfews. Not being able to see my friends, go on fun outings, and visit my festivals does strange things to your mind. And with my mind constantly racing, this song puts to words exactly what goes on in my head.
Words like:
‘There seems to be no way
When light fades to grey
To get them all out of my head’
Meditation
This is often how I feel and, like in the song, I sometimes turn to meditation to get some relief and silence. I use guided meditations, or else my mind will use the time to go rogue. Like in the lyrics, it’s essential to return to your senses, listen to your breathing and pay heed to your body. And yes, listening to silence does return my balance.
The Essence of Silence – Epica
Something is wrong
My strength has gone
Thoughts are corrupting my mind
I can see I perceive this ain’t me
Something so strong
My mood has swung
I can’t get it out of my head
I believe that my mind misleads me
We confuse
Is it a doubt you try to hide
Tangle and abuse
Just have an open look inside
We appear
It’s just a dreary memory stuck in your mind
Memory stuck in your mind
Retrieve your balance
Use your senses to observe
The essence of silence
Search for essence
Find the silence within you
The essence is…
You’re searching and bursting
There seems to be no cure
When tension endures
Delusions corrupting my mind
I can see I perceive this ain’t me
There seems to be no way
When light fades to grey
To get them all out of my head
I believe that my mind misleads me
We confuse
Is it a doubt you try to hide
Tangle and abuse
Just have an open look inside
We appear
It’s just a dreary memory stuck in your mind
Memory stuck in your mind
Retrieve your balance
Use your senses to observe
The essence of silence
Search for your essence
Find the silence within you
The essence is…
Make a start
Explore your heart
When a persistent memory
Penetrates deep in your mind
Allow the silence to destroy
Your thoughts in every kind
We confuse
Is it a doubt you try to hide
Tangle and abuse
Just have an open look inside
We appear
It’s just a dreary memory stuck in your mind
Memory stuck in your mind
Retrieve your balance
Use your senses to observe
The essence of silence
Allow the silence
To wipe your thoughts away
Retrieve your balance
Use your senses to observe
The essence of silence
Search for essence
Find the silence within you
The essence lies
In silence.
2014
Songwriters: Isaac Delahaye / Sascha Paeth / Joost Van Den Broek / Coen Janssen / Arien Van Der Weesenbeck / Markus Hj Mark Jansen / Robertus Van Der Loo / Simone J M Simons
Lyrics from https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/parole-groupe-Epica-nom_album-The_Quantum_Enigma-l-en.html
Song Lyrics Sunday is a prompt by Jim Adams, other entries can be found here: https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/inside-our-heads/
Thanks for sharing your music again Liz Black. The male singer which I think is the drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek sounds like the devil, but I like the sound of the female voice which I guess is Simone Simons.
Simone’s voice is excellent 😄
This is my first time to hear this song, nevertheless— I enjoyed it!
I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
Not my style but the lyrics are exactly why I meditate. I liked the way the piece was orchestrated. Talented musicians. And the female vocalist is spectacular.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, this is why I meditate too. It keeps me grounded and more relaxed during the day. I’m glad you liked it ☺️
I find I don’t get angry as much as I used to after meditating for the last year.
What an interesting song. I love the contrast between the male and female voices. I hope that we get to be able to go outside and see people really soon. The end is near.
Yes, I agree. I’ve been in voluntary isolation since March last year, but it’s becoming really tiresome. Let’s hope indeed things will pick up soon 🙂
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