| This Dying Soul | |
| Train of Thought | |
| Length | 11:28 |
| Working title | |
| Release date | November 11th, 2003 |
| Lyrics | Mike Portnoy |
| Music | Dream Theater |
| First live performance | |
| Total live plays | |
| Recorded | Cove City Sound Studios, Pie Studios NY |
| Other appearances | Live at Budokan, Train of Thought Instrumental Demos |
| Previous song | As I Am |
| Next song | Endless Sacrifice |
This Dying Soul is the second song on Dream Theater's seventh studio album, Train of Thought. It is the second installment of the twelve-step suite, which spans 5 songs on 5 albums, and tells of Mike Portnoy's alcohol addiction. The first two notes are identical to the last two notes from The Glass Prison, and it was occasionally played live adjacent to The Glass Prison during the Octavarium world tour.
Personnel
- Mike Portnoy - Drums, percussion, backing vocals
- John Petrucci - Guitar
- John Myung - Bass
- James LaBrie - Vocals
- Jordan Rudess - Keyboard
Lyrics
[IV. Reflections of Reality (Revisited)] Hello, Mirror - so glad to see you my friend, it's been a while Searching, Fearless - where do I begin to heal this wound of self-denial Face yourself man! Brace yourself man! and trace your hell back You've been blinded, living like a one way cold existence all the while Now it's time to stare the problem right between the eyes you long lost child I wanna feel your body breaking Wanna feel your body breaking and shaking and left in the cold I want to heal your conscience making a change to fix this dying soul Born into a broken home Surrounded by love yet all alone Forced into a life that's split in two A mother and a father both pulling you Then you had to deal with loss and death Everybody thinking they know best Coping with this shit at such an age Can only fill a kid with pain and rage Family disease pumped through your blood Never had the chance you thought you could Running all the while with no escape Turning all that pain in to blame and hate Living on your own by 21 Not a single care and having fun Consuming all the life in front of you Burning out the fuse and smoking the residue Possessive obsessions selfish childish games Vengeful resentments Passing all the blame Living out a life of decadence Acting without thought of consequence Spreading all your lies from coast to coast While spitting on the ones that matter most Running power mad with no control Fighting for the credit they once stole No one can ever tell you what to do Ruling other's lives while the can't stand the thought of you A living reflection seen from miles away A hopeless affliction having run astray I wanna feel your body breaking Wanna feel your body breaking and shaking and left in the cold I want to heal your conscience making a change to fix this dying soul This dying soul Now that you can see all you have done It's time to take that step into the kingdom All your sins will only make you strong And help you break right through the prison wall [V. Release] Come to me my friend (Listen to me) I'll help this torture end (Help to set me free) Let your ego go (I can't carry this load) You can't go through this alone (I feel so hopeless and exposed) You'll find your peace of mind (Give me some direction) You can no longer hide (Break out of this isolation) Let humility (Openness, honesty) And become what you can be (A healing tranquility) Help me Save me Heal me I can't break out of this prison all alone These tormenting ghosts of yesterday Will vanish when exposed You can't hold onto your secrets They'll only send you back alone Your fearless admissions Will help expel your destructive obsessions With my help I know you can Be at one with God and man Hear me Believe me Take me I'm ready to break through this prison wall
Tone
Like most songs on Train of Thought, This Dying Soul has an incredible heavy and dark tone. It is set apart from many other songs on Train of Thought in that there is no clean intro, or slow beginning - the song is fast, loud and heavy from the word 'go'. This is perhaps because it leads on immediately from the previous song, As I Am.
Appearances
- Train of Thought - Original recorded version
- Live at Budokan - Live version
- Train of Thought Instrumental Demos - Demo version