Heavy metal is the law Heavy metal lyrics and more...
M a k e   y o u r   c h o i c e
Lyrics Live Wanted Links Contact
The Neal Morse Band

The similitude of a dream
The similitude of a dream
bbcode
Long day
Overture
The dream
City of destruction
We have got to go
Makes no sense
Draw the line
The slough
Back to the city
The ways of a fool
So far gone
Breath of angels
Slave to your mind
Shortcut to salvation
The man in the iron cage
The road called home
Sloth
Freedom song
I'm running
The mask
Confrontation
The battle
Broken sky / long day (reprise)
Long day
It's been a long day
But I feel I must travel
'Cause I've seen some hard times
And they're haunting my soul
My life is a shadow
And at home I'm a stranger
And it's been a long day now
But I feel I must go
				
top

Overture
[Instrumental]
				
top

The dream
A man falls asleep in a faraway place
And dreams of a land outside time and space
That he once read about
Or maybe he never heard
He saw in his dream through a child's eyes
A slave or a king he could not decide
And the man called him forth
Without ever speaking a word

Love is awaiting you he cried
Beg, plead or borrow
But leave here tomorrow
Seek what's beyond the other side
It's life that awaits you
No one will make you
It's yours to decide
				
top

City of destruction
Sleep depraved. Dawn patrol.
My life blood's running circles 'round my soul
All the people in normal land
Rest while I get a midnight tan
But I…
I just hope I can sleep tonight

How can I shake this stain?
My family thinks that I'm insane like I
Got a vice on my head
My brain goes on like the walking dead
But I…
From within and without
It just keeps on screaming

You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
Don't wait another day
You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
There is no other way

Why are you grieving so?
Everyone will die someday you know
I can see your trembling hand
You better flee this sun scorched land
'Cause I…
I have been to the gate
You'd better not wait

You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
Don't wait another day
You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
There is no other way

You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
Don't wait another day
This is your chance to escape from the corruption
There is no other way

You gotta get out of the City of Destruction
Where anger breeds disdain
Where pleasure comes with pain

I've got rocks in my head
Think I'd rather be dead
I don't know what it's really about
Got this rack on my back
Satan's talkin' such smack
All I know is I've got to get out
				
top

We have got to go
We have got to go
Can't you see that there's destruction here?
Let's take a ride, leave tonight, hit the road
I promise it will be better dear
If you stay you'll be lost
And we'll be apart
And that would surely break my heart
But I can see that you're gone,
It's all gone away
Please babe, let's go together
Where eternity flows forever
Just beyond
				
top

Makes no sense
The quick, the awakening dead
Come to life as I'm led to the highway with few passersby
As I move straight ahead
With the city behind
A few friends tell me why I should stay
But what they say makes no sense to me

Makes zero sense

It makes no sense to me
To live like the normal man
To run like an "also ran"
To sink down the waterhole

It makes no sense to me
To live in the common place
A cog in the paper chase
A heart set on cruise control
Stop!
Take a look right here
Everyone's so clear and they think they
Know where you should go
But in the depth there's a door
And there is a "no" at your core
While they tell you it's better their way
But what they say
Makes no sense to me

It makes no sense to me
To live like the normal man
To run like an "also ran"
To sink down the waterhole

It makes no sense to me
To groan in the daily grind
Your love always left behind
Gain a life but lose your soul

It makes no sense to me
To live life painted on
To feel like I should've gone
But fear made me stay

It makes no sense to me
To wait when you have to go
Pretend that you didn't know
You're one step away

It makes no sense to me
To walk when you could have run
To live like a setting sun
Awaiting the day

It makes no sense to me
The road leading left or right
Toward day or toward the night
You're one step away
				
top

Draw the line
We've come to bring you back around
You're lost but you can still be found
What makes you think that you just couldn't stay
That you know the way anyway?

Come back to who you are
Let's hit the road

What makes you better than us all?
You think you know but you are wrong
Come back and make yourself some better pay
What you say, say anyway?

This isn't who you are
Let's smoke a bowl

I can't go with you
I have made up my mind
Something better awaits
Worth all you'll leave behind
Draw the line

You're the one who's deaf and dumb and blind
For whack jobs like you I got no time
You're crazier than what the people say
I'll be on my way, way anyway

We'll see you later days
Let's hit the road

I won't go with you
Can't you see that you're blind?
You should come with me
Don't be fooled, you're not fine
Draw the line

I think I see your way I'd really like to know
Something so beautiful
If only for a day something so beautiful
I think I see your way I'd really like to know
I'd really like to know
If only for a day something so beautiful
Something so beautiful
I know now what its worth
I'll go with you to the ends of the earth
				
top

The slough
[Instrumental]
				
top

Back to the city
I'm slipping in the slime
I'm running out of time
Abandoned in this hell
You said all would be well
But you lied!

I'm going back

I'm going back to the city
Knockin' on the door
Back to the city
To where I was before
Back to the city where I am not alone
I'm going home

Why would you leave me here?
As soon as troubles rise
Don't give a place to fear
He'll wipe every tear from your eyes

I've got my ball and Jack
And now I'm goin' back
If now it's dark and cold
What more awaits you down this road?

I'm going back to the city
I can hardly wait
Back to the city
Passing through the gate
Back to the city
The lights, the stars, the show
I'm coming home

Back to the city
Knocking on the door
Back to the city
To where I was before
Back to the city
Light up the Superdome
I'm coming home

The man sank deep in that miry ground
With the pack on his back still weighing him down
While his friend left them there
Without even saying goodbye

He reached to the side and found hope was there
As a hand helped him out of the pit of despair
He shook himself off and walked in the way of the sky
				
top

The ways of a fool
Walking straight ahead wondering in the way I wander
My feet are feeling fine
What's that up ahead?
Someone coming up the way
He is a worldly man!
I tell him my plan and he says,
"What are you doing?
You're simple as pudding
It's not worth pursuing
I know the way out!

All the ways of a fool
They are right in his own eyes
Go on back, keep your cool
Don't you miss the city lights?
And those worldly delights
Trust me I know I'm right

Reason is the rule
Logic is a might Fortress
And life is nothing more
Perception is the truth
Why not make it what you want?
And I'm a successful man!
My offer is easy
Invent your reality, made up morality
Legal legality second to none."

All the ways of a fool
They are right in his own eyes
Go on back, keep your cool
Don't you miss the city lights?
And those worldly delights
Trust me I know I'm right

I think I'll go the way
Walking with the worldly wise man
I'll just change it up a bit
And go the more logical way

Because it seems good to me
To live a life that's free from care
And my new reality
I will speak into the air

And life is awaiting me
I'll learn what they're teaching me
And surely my destiny will follow
Forget all about that dream
I'll find a place in between
And just take a turn-about tomorrow
				
top

So far gone
I walked into the change
But now it feels so wrong
There's mountains in my way
And I just can't go on
How did I get so far gone?
To who I am today
How did I get so far gone?

I veered off to the left
I took the man's advice
With just one little step
But in the course of time

How did I get so far gone?
To who I am today
Now my life seems painted on
And I'm so far gone
Maybe too far gone
To ever find the way

I used to seize the day
Living from the heart
But now I'm torn apart
But I have lost my
And now it's getting dark

How did I get so far gone?
To who I am today
Now my life seems painted on
And I'm so far gone
Maybe too far gone
To ever find the way

You can turn
You're not too far
The King loves you
With all his heart
And every lie can be made true
For I have seen the broken sky turn blue
The broken sky turn blue

You think He would have me still
After I left His will
And did some things I knew were wrong
You choose your destiny
Now I begin to see
The man I would like to be
Deep as a river song
It now makes sense to me
Go to the wicket gate
Go and don't hesitate
His will is the way
It now makes sense to me

Don't be deceived again
By the sleight hand of men
With feet made of clay
It now makes sense to me
Shine to the mountain peak
Shine to the place you seek
That won't fade away
				
top

Breath of angels
There through the trees
Something is in the clearing
Is this the way?
A glimpse of the gate
As music beyond all hearing
Begins to play

Is that my father smiling?
What are those steps he's climbing?
He waves me forward
As if to say it's OK

With the breath of angels
Charging up the atmosphere
And all around me
Is the love that casts out all fear
And the breath of angels
Dries away every tear

There up ahead
A place beyond understanding
Somewhere I've known
And I belong
Like a child who's been abandoned
Returning home

This burden I've had upon me
Has sucked all the life out from me
I thought many times I'd reached the end

With the breath of angels
Charging up the atmosphere
And all around me
Is the love that casts out all fear
Oh God my father
In Your mercy You brought me here
Where the breath of angels
Dries away every tear

The river's overrun
And it's flowing from the sky
We live to fall in love
In a city made of light

With the breath of angels
Charging up the atmosphere
And all around me
Is the love that casts out all fear
And the breath of angels
Dries away every tear
				
top

Slave to your mind
I thought that I was done
That I had now arrived
But he showed me so much more
Amazing to my sight

A room consumed with dust
A cloud that filled the air
The filth of sin and shame
Of corruption and despair

Then I saw myself
Even after all I'd heard
Breathing in the dust
Choking out the word

Then a woman came with water
I drank it deep and long
We spoke in secret words
We sang a sacred song

I saw in my dream
The interpreter and the man
Behind a wall of flame
He took him by the hand
By the hand

The fire was a gift
But there was one about
Wet blankets in his fists
He tried to put it out
He tried to put it out

He said
You have not been changed
Feel your guilt and shame
You've been left behind
You're a slave to your mind

I saw someone else
On the other side
Pure oil flowed from him
'Til fire filled the sky

Still the other said:
You have not been changed
Feel your guilt and shame
You've been reassigned
You're a slave to your mind
				
top

Shortcut to salvation
Then in my dream
I saw two men appear
They didn't take the long way
Instead they jumped the wall

The stood in the way
The journey man was on
Accused him and confused him
About the Glory Road

They said you can take it easy
This life is not so hard
Why don't you come join us in our merry band?
There's a shortcut to salvation
Cruise down the boulevard
Where decadence and destiny go hand-in-hand

Then I was there
I saw him up the road
Whistlin' down the long way
He knew he had to go…
And they said

You should take it easy
Life is not so hard
Why don't you come join us in our merry band?
There's a shortcut to salvation
Cruise down the boulevard
Where decadence and destiny go hand-in-hand

But I have seen the place called home
And now my life is not my own
For I was bought with the highest price
What can I do but give my life?

For I have seen the place called home
And now my life is not my own
I hear the call to Kingdom Ground
And all I am I lay it down for You
I lay it down for You
				
top

The man in the iron cage
I'm the man in the iron cage of fear
I've been locked in this place for 1000 years

I used to believe like you
I used to be someone who
Showed to others the way but now
I'm lost

No one ever made me what I am
Burned my bridges, sold my house,
My car, my friends

I used to believe like you
I used to be someone who
Showed to others the way but now
I'm lost

I took every guardrail down
I never thought I'd be found out
But my secret sin surely had a cost

Surely you can find your way back home
Surely you can turn to God alone
You are never too far gone
His mercy's new each day
You can still sing freedom's song
You're not so far gone
You're never too far gone
To ever turn again

I'm the man in the iron cage of death
Started with a little slip, now it's such a mess

I used to believe like you
I used to have dreams like you do
But now I'm a prisoner of my rage

When you think you're sure to stand
When you're runnin' the race I ran
Remember the man in the iron cage
				
top

The road called home
A man fell asleep in a faraway land
And I saw in my mind he awoke again
To the city of light his journey continued on
He walked down a hill where he saw two men
Asleep by a mill, he woke them and then
They spoke of the way, their names
Were simple and sloth
				
top

Sloth
I have no need
No indeed
I have no need for speed
Take a rest
I suggest
You are already blessed

Why do you work so hard?
It's necessary to be sedentary
Be in the place you are
Life's not habitual when you're spiritual like me

It is no sin
Nothing makes me grin
More than sleeping in

I yawn and drool
But I know it's cool
My debts been paid in full

Why do you work so hard?
It's necessary to be sedentary
Be in the place you are
Life's not habitual when you're spiritual like me

It's been a long day
And it's easy to stumble
But we're headed somewhere
And I don't always know
I can't sleep or slumber
Or I could get lost here
It's been a long day now
But it's time to move on
It's time to move on
				
top

Freedom song
Then in my dream was a highway
With tall blazing trees all around
The journey man bent as the pack on
His back weighed him down

He ran 'til he came to a clearing
A place he'd seen somewhere before
He walked up the hill
Heard a voice like an opening door

Leave all your burdens here
Cry away every tear
I'll take your pain and all your sorrow
Son you've been gone too long
This is your freedom song
Sing and the grace of God will follow

I watched as the man fell on down to his knees
As the pack on his back hit the floor
It rolled down the hill and would never be seen anymore!

Leave all your burdens here
Cry away every tear
I'll take your pain and all your sorrow
Son you've been gone too long
This is your freedom song
Sing and the grace of God will follow
				
top

I'm running
Lifted and free with no weight on me
I'm running
Black was the way but my destiny
Is coming
I'm running
Got no chains hanging down on me
It's funny
How things change when your heart is free

Lifted and free with no place to be
I'm running
Black was the way but a brand new day is coming
I'm running
Got no chains hanging down on me
It's funny
How things change when your heart is free

But wait there's more
More in store
				
top

The mask
I have come a long way
I've met many a friend
Who gave to me their hearts,
Their bread, and their wine
Into the lower lands
Down to the depths of self
I have come
To discover what's lying behind
The mask
My mask

It might tear me apart
If I see what's inside my heart
My heart

The ground is so dank
The air is sour in the valley of humiliation
I can see him now
Coming for me there will be no negotiation
It's here
He's here

Man, he's ugly as sin
Slimy scales are his precious pride

Should I go back in retreat
Or do I confront the beast
If I turn and run he'll get my gun
Better stand and face Apollyon
				
top

Confrontation
He told me all I'd done
That I desired to be praised
That I was filled with selfish pride
And death would be my wage

I told him he was right
I did deserve the grave
But the Prince, the One I serve
He's strong enough to save

How can you think you're loved after
The things you've done?
You are a poor excuse and not a favored son
You are surely too far gone
Just give it up today
I am the great powerful one
Give it up my son
If you take me on
Even God can't save you now

You gotta go back to the City of Destruction
Don't wait another day
You gotta go back to the City of Destruction
There is no other way

You gotta go back to the City of Destruction
This clearly is your fate
You gotta go back to the City of Destruction
Your destiny awaits

I will spill you
I will kill you
This is where your search has come to
Out of my way
You are my prey
Come at me and you will surely die
Die!

You are empty
You don't tempt me
You are out but I've got plenty
You are bleeding
Not succeeding
I am ever reaching for the sky
Die!
				
top

The battle
[Instrumental]
				
top

Broken sky / long day (reprise)
I have been tormented
And I have been deceived
I have known depression
A thousand nights I couldn't sleep

Facing my true enemy
I was paralyzed with fear
But following a question
And I'm not really clear
But it led me here…

Where I have seen and I have known
By setting down the road called home
The journey is to be with you
For I have seen the broken sky turn blue
The broken sky turn blue

Why go through the trouble?
Why not just disappear?
Why all of these questions?
Why doesn't God just make it clear?

The rain becomes a river
The stream becomes a lake
Keep following the whisper
No matter what it takes
'Til you reach the gate

Where I have seen and I have known
By setting down the road called home
The journey is to be with you
Your love has made the broken sky turn blue
The broken sky is blue

There's a song in the night
There's a city of light
There's a universe yet to be known
There's an opening door
There's so very much more
As together we seek to come home

Now I belong to you

[Long Day (Reprise)]

And it's been a long day now
Down this road I have traveled
And it's been a dark night
And I've waited so long
Through the rain in the fire
I have finally found you
And it's been a long way now
But this son's coming home
This son's coming home
This son's coming home

To be the completed man
To love and to understand
To change everything I can
It now makes sense to me
To be who I could not be
To love you so easily
With your life inside of me
Let the great adventure now begin
				
top

All lyrics are the property and copyright of their respective owners. The lack of a notice does not necessarily mean that the work is not protected by copyright law. All lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.