Abney Park began around 1997, but their popularity exploded with the onset of internet music, with much success through MP3.com in the early 2000’s. The band was a regular chart topper, often holding the number 1 – 5 positions in Goth and Darkwave, and Industrial Dance music charts. In 2005 the band morphed from a more Darkwave/Industrial inspired act to a Steampunk inspired act.
Abney Park's music has been featured on a number of movie soundtracks, including "Insomnis Amour", "Goth", and "Lord of the Vampires". The band's music has also been featured in many compilation CD’s, including Cleopatra Records “The Unquiet Grave” vol. III, "Annihilation and Seduction", "Eighteen" and many more.
Abney Park has performed all over the North America, appearing in Portland, Chicago, Las Vegas, Reno, Hollywood, and countless shows in their home base of Seattle. Their fans form a near-cult following, and have been known to travel from as far as New Zealand and Mexico City just to see them perform.
This Dark and Twisty Road
Abney Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get behind me, safe from creatures of the night
Long ago and far away, hunting my demons down
To make you a safer way, down
This dark and twisty road
Little girl, keep yourself upon the trail
If you stray, you'll become a cautionary tale
Through the forest and the mists, run down
This dark and twisty road.
Run little girl,
've got your back you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run little girl,
've got your back you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Little girl, one day I'll give you away
Though I'll miss you, I can't ask you to stay
Your whole life until this day, I have protected you
If you'll need me on your way, I'll be around
This dark and twisty road
Run little girl,
've got your back you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run little girl,
've got your back you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
The lyrics of Abney Park's "This Dark and Twisty Road" is about a protective figure, who promises to keep a young girl safe from the dangers of the world. In the first verse, the protector tells the little girl to get behind him, safe from the "creatures of the night." He has a past of hunting his demons down and uses this experience to make "you a safer way down this dark and twisty road." In the second verse, he reminds her to keep herself upon the trail and promises to keep her safe and sound through the forest and the mists. He urges her to run and hide herself when necessary and remember that he is always there on the "dark and twisty road." In the final verse, he comes to terms with the fact that he has to give her away someday and promises that he will always be around for her.
Overall, the lyrics convey the theme of protection and safety. The protector sees the world as dark and dangerous, and he wants to make sure the little girl never has to experience any of its harshness. He not only offers physical protection but emotional protection as well, promising to always be there for her when she needs him. The lyrics are heartwarming and emphasize the importance of having someone who cares and will be there for you no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Little girl in your dress of snowy white
Addressing a young girl wearing a white dress as a symbol of purity and innocence.
Get behind me, safe from creatures of the night
Asking the girl to stand behind him for protection from any dark forces or dangers that may come their way.
Long ago and far away, hunting my demons down
Referring to a past when he was fighting personal demons before meeting the girl, which inspired him to go on this journey with her.
To make you a safer way, down
This dark and twisty road
Emphasizing his intention to make the journey down the dangerous path easier and safer for the girl.
Little girl, keep yourself upon the trail
Encouraging the girl to stay within the boundaries of the path and not stray away from it.
If you stray, you'll become a cautionary tale
Warning the girl that if she wanders off or does not obey, she may end up becoming an example for others as to what not to do in such a situation.
With these arms and with these fists, I'll keep you safe and sound
Reassuring the girl that he will use his strength to protect her from any harm that may arise.
Through the forest and the mists, run down
This dark and twisty road.
Describing the dangerous path ahead that they have to navigate through the forest and the misty landscape.
Little girl, one day I'll give you away
Acknowledging that the girl will grow up one day and have to leave, but he will always be there for her.
Though I'll miss you, I can't ask you to stay
Expressing the sadness of having to let her go but acknowledging that it is necessary for her growth and development.
Your whole life until this day, I have protected you
Reflecting on the past and reiterating that he has always been there to protect her.
If you'll need me on your way, I'll be around
This dark and twisty road
Assuring the girl that if she ever needs him, he will be there to guide and protect her down the same path that they started on.
Run little girl,
've got your back you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Encouraging the girl to run and hide if there is any danger, as he has her protected and will continue to do so.
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matthias
...three, four...
Little girl in your dress of snowy white
Get behind me, safe from creatures of the night
Long ago and far away, hunted my demons down
To make you a safer way, down
This dark and twisty road
Little girl, keep yourself upon the trail (keep yourself upon the trail)
If you stray, you'll become a cautionary tale (you'll become a cautionary tale)
With these arms and with these fists, I'll keep you safe and sound (safe and sound)
Through the forests and the mists, down
This dark and twisty road
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Little girl, one day I'll give you away (one day I'll give you away)
Though I'll miss you, I can't ask you to stay (can't ask you to stay)
Your whole life until this day, I have protected you
But if you need me on your way, I'll be around (if you need me)
This dark and twisty road
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Matthias
...three, four...
Little girl in your dress of snowy white
Get behind me, safe from creatures of the night
Long ago and far away, hunted my demons down
To make you a safer way, down
This dark and twisty road
Little girl, keep yourself upon the trail (keep yourself upon the trail)
If you stray, you'll become a cautionary tale (you'll become a cautionary tale)
With these arms and with these fists, I'll keep you safe and sound (safe and sound)
Through the forests and the mists, down
This dark and twisty road
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Little girl, one day I'll give you away (one day I'll give you away)
Though I'll miss you, I can't ask you to stay (can't ask you to stay)
Your whole life until this day, I have protected you
But if you need me on your way, I'll be around (if you need me)
This dark and twisty road
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Run, little girl,
I've got your back, you're covered now
Go and run and hide yourself, you're safe
Heather Michelle Smalley
I haven't heard a song from Abney Park that I didn't find beautiful or just love. What a voice and band.
Blue Bonez
love this band so much! took me a long time to finely find a band that plays music like this
The86th
This entire song is a father singing to his daughter- the dark and twisty road is life.
Art Donovan
Sublime recording! Gentle and mysterious. Does Robert nail it or what?
carolina alvarez
This is so beautiful, im addicted to it now :)
ElveeKaye
Haunting and beautiful at the same time.
Phuk Dupp Videos
Like most of us, I have a repertoire that soundtracks my life experience so far; this one is way, way, way up there. ;)
Evona A Grochowski
Now, I cry, every time, I listen, to your music, I start to, have to stop, in order to listen to it, on a deeper, level.
Marca Poland
The best band!