Incantation
Delerium Lyrics
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This shore is cavernous and cold
Too close is cavernous cold
Cavernous cold
You're collecting empty shells
Too late to scribe
Alive on my soul
I'd rather hide
Than fight
You stealing my soul
A haunted ocean of steaming ghosts
They bore what's tavernous and told
A haunted ocean is tavernous and told
I am where the feeling dwells
Too late to scribe
Alive on my soul
I'd rather hide
Than fight
You stealing my soul
Cavernous
Cold
The lyrics of Delerium's song Incantation seem to evoke a sense of warning and caution to someone, potentially a lover or adversary, to not get too close in proximity. The individual vocalizing the lyrics describes the shore as "cavernous and cold," signifying that they are not receptive to being approached or possibly even vulnerable due to the metaphor of being exposed on a shore. The repetition of "too close is cavernous cold" emphasizes the point that the closer someone gets, the colder and more ominous the environment becomes.
The lyrics continue to describe the person being addressed as "collecting empty shells," giving the impression that they are not genuine in their intentions or emotions. The words "too late to scribe, alive on my soul" indicate a sense of regret or remorse and that the individual has come to a realization that it is too late to express themselves or rectify what has transpired. They would instead rather hide than fight, possibly to protect themselves from further harm or losing more of their soul to the other person.
The final stanza speaks of a haunted ocean of steaming ghosts who have bore what's "tavernous and told." The imagery of a haunted ocean creates a sense of foreboding and danger, suggesting that there is something ominous lurking in the depths. The lyrics conclude with the individual expressing that they are where the feeling dwells, potentially symbolizing that they are entrenched in these negative emotions and unable to escape. The song's haunting and ethereal tones provide a fitting soundscape to these evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't get too close
Be careful not to get too close to this place, it is dangerous.
This shore is cavernous and cold
The shore is dark, vast, and frigid.
Too close is cavernous cold
Getting too close to this location can be overwhelming and chilling.
Cavernous cold
It is a place that feels desolate, daunting, and freezing.
You're collecting empty shells
You are gathering things without value or purpose.
Too late to scribe
It is too late to write about what has already occurred.
Alive on my soul
The pain and suffering that I feel is alive and real.
I'd rather hide
I would rather avoid confrontation or exposure.
Than fight
I don't want to engage in conflict or struggle.
You stealing my soul
Your actions are causing me to lose my essence or spirit.
A haunted ocean of steaming ghosts
The ocean is full of spirits that are tormented and restless.
They bore what's tavernous and told
These spirits reveal the secrets of the dark and eerie place.
A haunted ocean is tavernous and told
The ocean is a place of sorrow and pain where dark secrets are shared.
I am where the feeling dwells
I am in the place where emotions are strong and intense.
Cavernous cold
The place is vast and freezing, with a sense of emptiness and isolation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KRISTY THIRSK, RHYS FULBER, WILHELM LEEB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@decree72
2022 still listening Delerium, timeless.
And i swear this music can heal.
@allaynawilson4793
yes that and forever
@MizzIssy
I first heard this track back in 1994 and I fell in love with it & Delerium's music. Anyway, Kristy Thirsk is such an amazing vocalist, I also absolutely love "Wisdom" too, which is featured in Delerium's "Karma" album. <3 :-)
@fatcarl76
One of my two favorite Kristy Thirsk / Delerium songs (Heavens Earth is the other). She's got such a phenomenal voice.
@sulijoo
Delerium and Enigma are so underrated. I liked some of Enigma's work, like their first big hit album MCMXC AD, but some of their other work seems tired. I've always loved this track from Delerium, though. Why is it we NEVER hear these tracks in the mainstream? Thanks to music downloads (legal and otherwise), that might be changing.
@CJTranceAddiction
Enigma, overall, is far superior to Delerium although both groups are amazing. Enigma has 2 worldwide hits with Sadness and Return to Innocence and are universally well-known. Can't say the same for Delerium. I mean, they had Silence but even still the more well known track was the "remix", not the original.
@jillbordelon25
I love this song. Use to listen to it back in the days in the clubs. Just in my own little world dancing with my friends. Great song. Makes you want to dance.
@avengers_povs5
The firer dancer is my dad now :)
@eidolusgad3818
I was 15, in the hospital for weeks, and all I had to watch was Much Music... Delerium came on so much back then that I still love them.
There are times I will listen to Delerium instead of using pain killers to get rid of pain.
@Phaota
Man, I love that song. The "Semantic Spaces" album is one of their best, being their first mainstream one coming out of the industrial music genre.