Dream Theater - A Life Left Behind Lyrics






[Faythe:]
I never knew
Someone was out there
A long way from nowhere
Who could open my eyes

All of this time
While I was sleeping
The world changed around me
Now I've never felt more alive

I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up…

[Arabelle:]
Fate found a way
To bring them together
Once and forever
And won't let them go

Nothing I say
Can keep her from leaving
Her life has new meaning
I lost her a long time ago

[Faythe:]
I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up

I'm waking up
Now that yesterday's gone
Won't close my eyes again
I'm waking up

I'll plan to return well-disguised
Make sure that I'm not recognized
Tomorrow, a new sun will rise
And somehow I'll find you

Nothing will stand in my way
Soon I will see you again

I'm waking up
From a life left behind
To see what lies ahead
I'm waking up

I'm waking up
Now that yesterday's gone
I will never look back
I'm waking up

[Arabelle:]
You'll be her shadow as she moves, my son
But she can never know you're there
She is alone and rebel guards are everywhere

[Daryus:]
I'll keep her safe from all danger
Won't let her out of my sight

Did I fail to mention my honest intentions?
This is the chance I deserve
Heed my words justice will be served





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Dream Theater A Life Left Behind Comments
  1. A.... R....

    Will there be a limited edition instrumental version of "The Astonishing" now, when the new album have safely arrived? An instruments-only remastered version, of the complete album? This have in later years been released from several Dream Theater studio albums, such as an instrumental edition of the entire "Awake", although it's not official as such. Please do this for those of us who love your music! Please!

  2. L.... Z....

    The intro reminds a lot of Symphony X, especially at 0:43, it sounds a lot like "The Accolade" from Symphony X ( https://youtu.be/Sr4gPS0gpdE?t=176 ). I liked it A LOT.

  3. d.... o....

    i love the intro

  4. M.... B....

    I really like the lyrics of this one, written intelligently.

  5. M.... B....

    I disliked this album at first it came out. Now it really sounds good to me.

    Not their best work but really good nonetheless.

  6. j.... l....

    great great great.lovely sound.great recording

  7. J.... P....

    I have been Astonished by this album, and I have all DT albums ever published :-)

  8. S.... M....

    Intro reminds me of Yes - Roundabout. (the 'To Be Continued' song)

    S.... M....

    No, sounds more like Tempus Fugit

  9. f.... a....

    Oh how I love how they bow to all their influences Yes,ELP,King Crimson,Kansas,the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Toto etc. Still make some of the most intense music in prog. Omg this tune brings tears on its sheer musicality and emotional power!!! Omg!!! The very last keys what?

  10. A.... B....

    I bet these rookies listened to much "Liquid Tension" albums..

    A.... B....

    Yeah, I know right? It's almost as if they're the same people!

  11. b.... ....

    JETHRO TULL VIBE!

  12. C.... ....

    I love how this album is like a musical play without the acting. You could honestly probably put this on a stage pretty easily.

    C.... ....

    Queens Rych did it with operation mind crime

  13. �.... ....

    INT. EMPEROR'S PALACE - NIGHT

    FAYTHE
    I never knew
    Someone was out there
    A long way from nowhere
    Who could open my eyes

    All of this time
    While I was sleeping
    The world changed around me
    Now I've never felt more alive

    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up

    ARABELLE
    Fate found a way
    To bring them together
    Once and forever
    And won't let them go

    Nothing I say
    Can keep her from leaving
    Her life has new meaning
    I lost her a long time ago

    FAYTHE
    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up

    I'm waking up
    Now that yesterday's gone
    Won't close my eyes again
    I'm waking up

    I'll plan to return well disguised
    Make sure that I'm not recognized
    Tomorrow a new sun will rise
    And somehow I'll find you

    Nothing will stand in my way
    Soon I will see you again

    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up

    I'm waking up
    Now that yesterday's gone
    Won't close my eyes again
    I will never look back
    I'm waking up

    ARABELLE
    You'll be her shadow as she moves my son
    But she can never know you're there
    She is alone and rebel guards are everywhere

    DARYUS
    I'll keep her safe from all danger
    Won't let her out of my sight

    Did I fail to mention my honest intentions?
    This is the chance I deserve
    Heed my words justice will be served

  14. T.... ....

    I like the whole song, yes. But if they had just keep going with that intro...

    Damn, I really like this album but it was missing some prog.

  15. N.... R....

    That's my headphone test track of choice.

    N.... R....

    I must do this tonight!

  16. W.... E....

    Mangini is too limited in this album i dont know why but his sound is so linear with nothing special to remember ..maybe petrucci and rudess haven't gave him more space during the songwriting process

  17. J.... Q....

    If no one like this album is because you dont like the proggresive side of dream theater, they make always a heavy album with a little bit of progressive and then another album more progressive and less heavy, if you dont know that, take a look each album of dt, is in that order. You have to enjoy this side almost like heavy side, is the two part of DT. the next album is gonna be heavy for sure, be patience. I love the two sides of DT, they are a great musicians, be proud for that :D

  18. J.... H....

    Daaamn. This song is so sick ♫♫

  19. i.... y....

    Niceeeeee :)

  20. A.... K....

    the Power of JM....
    JM is free without mP

  21. I.... A....

    This is what I like in Dream Theater!

  22. G.... G....

    I love Jordan Rudess <3

  23. Q.... J....

    Nice cover of Tempus Fugit by Yes

  24. S.... A....

    3:33 holy shit Mangini...i cant get enough of this song and this album, great work Dt...very nice job, astonishing 🤘🏻✌🏻

  25. S.... ....

    John Myung... You are best...I'm so excited for going to see you soon.

  26. C.... ....

    This is what I find outstanding about DT - the big variations of the instrumentation in many parts of their songs/albums, because it totally wipes out the repetitive feel (atleast for me it does).

  27. S.... Z....

    brother can you hear me: dark dispute over who is in the good side and how they will defend their positions to death
    a life peft behind: sunshine! rainbows!

  28. m.... ....

    Intro remind me of Yes.

  29. B.... D....

    I never knew
    Someone was out there
    A long way from nowhere
    Who could open my eyes
    All of this time
    While I was sleeping
    The world changed around me
    Now I've never felt more alive
    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up
    Fate found a way
    To bring them together
    Once and forever
    And won't let them go
    Nothing I say
    Can keep her from leaving
    Her life has new meaning
    I lost her a long time ago
    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up
    I'm waking up
    Now that yesterday's gone
    Won't close my eyes again
    I'm waking up
    I'll plan to return well disguised
    Make sure that I'm not recognized
    Tomorrow a new sun will rise
    And somehow I'll find you
    Nothing will stand in my way
    Soon I will see you again
    I'm waking up
    From a life left behind
    To see what lies ahead
    I'm waking up
    I'm waking up
    Now that yesterday's gone
    Won't close my eyes again
    I will never look back
    I'm waking up

    You'll be her shadow as she moves my son
    But she can never know you're there
    She is alone and rebel guards are everywhere

    I'll keep her safe from all danger
    Won't let her out of my sight

    Did I fail to mention my honest intentions?
    This is the chance I deserve
    Heed my words justice will be served

  30. M.... O....

    either these clowns are making an unholy metal racket, of going full poofter like this swill

    M.... O....

    absolutely

  31. D.... ....

    that intro is totally Yes influence

  32. J.... W....

    Gorgeous vocal melody. I fucking love this song!

  33. G.... C....

    Intro inspired by Yes song Tempus Fugit

  34. E.... P....

    I can also hear something from Toto in this song: great album, great musicians.

  35. R.... M....

    1:23 sounds like the main theme of "Glasgow Kiss", from John Pretrucci solo album "Suspended Animation".

  36. T.... ....

    I can't tell you how much the ending of this song pisses me off. Its such an amazing, heartfelt, moving, beautifully written song...and then it goes strait to hell. Everyone I show the song to goes, uh what is happening? Why can't they just let a nice song be a nice song? No one cares about the damn storyline. I am going to make a version without that stupid, stupid,stupid ending. Everytime I hear the song at that point, I go WHY WHY WHY?

    T.... ....

    4:40 and onward is such an excellent tone shift imo.

    T.... ....

    I care about the story more than anything. This is a rock opera..

    T.... ....

    TimeAxisMedia Actually the story line is easily the most important part go make ur own song and make it happy you're welcome

  37. D.... K....

    The opening sounds a lot like yes and riverside together

  38. S.... D....

    4:40 onwards is a perfect tone shift from Faythe to Arabelle and Daryus. Great writing.

  39. M.... F....

    I can't believe no one noticed it. The intro is Queen's The night comes down.

    M.... F....

    It sounds more of a Yes song than a Queen song to me.

    M.... F....

    I also just listened to it . same acoustic riff to start. otherwise no resemblence. Espesially in musical ability!

  40. C.... ....

    This is definitely one of the better tracks

  41. R.... S....

    What a song .. this is the music for the Type-1 civilization .. ! DT is the only one, this is proof .. !!

  42. H.... H....

    is that some sonic rings at 0:36 and 0:43

  43. J.... S....

    The riffs in this intro needed to reoccur at least at one other point in the album. I was quite disappointed that this was not the case. Not even a little reprise towards the end? C'mon guys.. these ideas are too good. <3

  44. S.... K....

    wow. this is my favorite song from the album and I just noticed something that ruined it for me... the annoying echo on Lebries voice the entire song. why echo? why the entire singing part? its horrible! I cant unhear it now. its like the cowbell in Dont fear the reaper

    S.... K....

    Scott Karrasch nobody cares

  45. B.... M....

    why couldn't there be 5min. 50sec's of intro. Stand out musicianship.

  46. L.... ....

    No one can do it better than Dream Theater :3

  47. S.... K....

    one of the 14 songs I actually liked on the album

  48. H.... B....

    casi lloro cuando la escucho en vivo cx
    la amé

  49. �.... ....

    0:57 Solitary Shell (Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence)

  50. J.... D....

    just like JP said on youtube - definitely Yes-like! Superb!

  51. Z.... A....

    I would love it if Dream Theater performed a continuation of Instrumedley to include this song's intro as part of it. Seriously it's one of the best goddamn sections of any music I've ever heard, in fact, it's actually one of my top five favourite song intros!! That should be known as an integral component for "prog" music!

  52. M.... C....

    Je suis un très grand fan de ce groupe

  53. B.... B....

    Oh my god that intro is so beautiful

  54. V.... ....

    The intro part is soo Yes-influenced!

    V.... ....

    It's literally Tempus Fugit lmao

  55. M.... J....

    oh my god 4:38 ... oh my god! That section. That movement!

  56. J.... M....

    can anyone tell me if that's smooth mcgroove doing the acapella at the beginning of the song or not?

  57. a.... ....

    It's amazing how this album has grown on me.
    It is a masterpiece.

    a.... ....

    I bet you listen to angry metal while you flog your log don't you?

    a.... ....

    YTazzkickr01 you're an angry little fucker aren't you 😂

    a.... ....

    Jesus Mariscal what's wrong with angry metal. I love angry metal

    a.... ....

    This is a joke compared to Images & Words.

    a.... ....

    Images and Words is great, but the drum snare is weak as fuck. People call Mangini "Manchiney" but my god the I&W drums are more robotic than mumble rap beats. Mangini sounds better on this album compared to I&W and everything Portnoy did up until SFAM. Distance Over Time, A Dramatic Turn of Events, Train of Thought, Scenes From A Memory, Systematic Chaos, Dream Theater, and The Astonishing are the best albums for me. Not in order either. Just depends on the day. But I will say that I can't get passed Portnoy's drums on Images. It's just dogshit.

  58. D.... V....

    5:00 minute mark in "A Life Left Behind", very dramatic and cinematic. Really loving this album more with every spin, and its taken a lot of spins to 'get it'.

  59. J.... D....

    I love how at 0:44 - 0:55 mangini follows Rudess with the bow of his ride. Im going to try this syncing technique with our pianist in adv jazz band. Also i love the emotion this song gives.

    J.... D....

    Finally someone that seems to notice that

  60. A.... A....

    its like "you are the only exception" of paramore. sort of :) love it

    A.... A....

    lol paramore? omg get out!

    A.... A....

    hahaha i don´t like paramore but i have listened to that song and it just came to my mind. sorryyyyy

    A.... A....

    You are not wrong! I knew it reminded me another song.

  61. M.... m....

    i love the intro, man MM sounds amazing. i love how he play every note on the drums.
    can't wait to see DT in DC.

  62. P.... L....

    Best DT album ever.
    Worst concept ever.

    P.... L....

    +Dunford00 good luck ;)

    P.... L....

    +Dunford00 fuck you, if he doesn't like it that doesn't mean that he can't understand it

    P.... L....

    @Anki Hansen
    good luck to you as well

    P.... L....

    +Dunford00 And agaim, fuck you, pretentious braggart

    P.... L....

    @Anki Hansen
    right

  63. R.... S....

    l duck just blow my face off now . What a ducking song they blessed us with

    R.... S....

    +Ryan Slater lol spell check

  64. z.... ....

    This is like the new best song in the history of music <3

  65. P.... H....

    Intro Theme : Breaking All Illusions intro theme - transformed .
    Maybe it's not a coincidence.
    When the illusions shattered , we woke up to new life when we know the Truth . This is amazing! ( One of my favorite songs. )

  66. k.... ....

    Love the chorus... really enjoying this album. Very melodic and a change of pace. I don't need 'Pull me Under' 15 times. :-) This is good stuff.

  67. D.... ....

    My favorite of the entire album.  Why couldn't this be the classic 12 minute DT epic though?  So much potential in the front and near the end...

    D.... ....

    +DRW1107 While I do think this album is great, I do miss the 10 minutes songs they do.

    D.... ....

    +brazwen its over 2 hours guys, please stfu

    D.... ....

    Whoa! Settle down. I'm not hating on the album. I like the album. I just miss the 10 minutes song that's all. It's like having a GF away on holiday and you miss her. 

    D.... ....

    the album is one song
     get over it
     :)

  68. M.... M....

    fantatstic intro, fantastic song and after hearing 3 times: Fantastic album!!!

  69. D.... D....

    This is one of the few good songs on this album. 34 songs and only 6 or 7 are worth listening to more than once.

    D.... D....

    i love the whole album...

    D.... D....

    well, yeah, song like that are a little too disney-cheesy, but they're still well written and executed. solo in chosen is great.

    D.... D....

    It's all about pacing. The epic parts are epic because there were chilled-out parts that built up to them. You can't do epic 24/7 or it becomes normal and no longer has an emotional shape.

    Also, it is worth noting that this song features the thoughts, words, and actions of women in addition to those of men. In Metropolis Pt. 2, Victoria was there as a damsel-in-distress who morphed into a tawdry slut who unfortunately messed with the wrong kind of guy. But as a singing character, she was Nicholas' shadow. She sang through him, and hence was not a full-fledged presence. You only saw her through Nicholas' eyes, and therefore the music could be more testosterone-laden as a whole. I've always hated hearing Victoria's moans during the solo of "Home" because for me, it is too over the top and too private.

    But on The Astonishing, an attempt was made to present estrogen in the mix. They attempted to present womens' perspectives and feelings. As a feminist, I applaud them for doing so! But, I can see where that might be off-putting to some people who liked the Portnoy years where, sadly, things like "Eat my ass and balls" were more of a part of DT's music than the perspective of women.

    For only that reason, I am glad Portnoy is gone. I miss his drumming badly (and hell, I'll say it: I miss Kevin Moore like crazy too in the music), but the macho crap went with him, and I love the emotional maturity the band has reclaimed from the Kevin Moore years.

    D.... D....

    Dan D -- The point is enjoying the experience as a whole. The same occurs with 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' and 'The Wall' and every other concept album.

    D.... D....

    La Cueva de Android And as a whole this wasn't enjoyable.

  70. S.... ....

    Bes YES intro ever....I was missing them as a Dream Theater influence, it's always Rush :p

  71. A.... A....

    a bit, bit, bit, of "Yes - Spirit of Survival", for the intro

    A.... A....

    +Antonio Appio The intro is too Tempus Fugit...!!!!

  72. e.... ....

    They've spoiled an awesome intro(one of the best parts of the album, I think) with a so lame song. WHY???

  73. e.... ....

    Coisa linda!

  74. L.... ....

    I'm at, what, my 7th listen-through or something, and still there are new songs that I'm taking notice of as being very good. Really, this is a masterpiece that has no equal. Not even Beyond the Red Mirror, though I'd call the individual songs better.

  75. S.... ....

    Petrucci needs to score a game at some point in his career.

    S.... ....

    +Charon He did a long time ago. Well, part of the soundtrack at least. Look up "Necronomicon" on Sega Saturn.

    S.... ....

    Yeah, I just mean he needs to score an entire game rather than two short tracks.

  76. M.... D....

    One of the best intros

  77. q.... ....

    Even though I liked every single DT album, I've always been one of those who prefered the early DT. But this song... this ENTIRE ALBUM... I seriously think it's my favorite of theirs.

    Already got my tickets for the show, this is gonna be one night to remember :') Thank you for this album DT, thank you so, so much.

  78. a.... ....

    In my mind this is maybe the best song to promote the album to a wider audience. The spicy intro that cures ADHD, the melodic middle part that melts even the most cynical heart and the dramatic ending that leaves you craving for more. Just perfect! But judging by the view count, I know shit... BTW, Mangini is great on this song!

    a.... ....

    I think that would be Lord Nafaryus, to get the attention of a wider audience, but pointing to those who listen to metal.

    About Mangini, yeah. He is great in this song. But Richard Chycki is still an idiot who makes the drums sound like a stone. xd

  79. G.... Z....

    Everything for dream theater songs, is the best...
    vocal n all music is perfect...
    Dream theater is the best forever...
    love u all guys, keep dreaming alive...

  80. D.... S....

    anyone else going to Cincinatti on April 27th to see them???

  81. J.... D....

    jRPG Boss fight!!

  82. D.... L....

    Anyone else really dig Jordan's sounds on this album? Well thought-out and tasteful

  83. A.... G....

    What a song, divine!

  84. T.... M....

    James's vocals is soooooo astonishing here)

  85. S.... c....

    Amazingggggg

  86. A.... D....

    Can't wait to see this live.

  87. G.... P....

    my my this song brings tears to my eyes

  88. F.... ....

    3:42 One of LaBrie's best moments on the album imo

    F.... ....

    +FearTheBlades This whole album was like a big middle finger to all that LaBrie haters out there. James absolutely killed it.

  89. p.... ....

    ma solo io ci sento gli Elio e le storie tese? bellaaaaaa!!!

  90. p.... m....

    i was enjoying... until 1:20.

  91. R.... D....

    Perfect INTRO!!!!!!!!!

  92. s.... ....

    the intro reaks of Cryptic Vision.

  93. A.... B....

    Please DT release mini album that is compilation of best riffs from this album. Something like Shattered Fortress.

    A.... B....

    i might work on something like that actually

    A.... B....

    Maybe in live, later. Like did Haken with Aquarius album in their lives, like a medley.. It would be awesome

  94. H.... H....

    Fantastic ! A true perfection of what the music have to be !

  95. G.... M....

    The intro reminds me of JR's 13/8 music challenge! lol

  96. P.... V....

    it shows the great influence on this issue to ELP especially Rudess, the big influence is by Keith Emerson...

  97. J.... D....

    The whole album's a huge undertaking and DT have done an amazing job!!!

  98. K.... D....

    The intro sequence on the guitar is kind of similar to Muse's Plug-In Baby