The brainchild of guitarist, songwriter and producer Sam Vallen, CALIGULA'S HORSE - initially composed of just Vallen and vocalist Jim Grey - released its digital debut “Moments From Ephemeral City” in April 2011, and received instant acclaim from lovers of all strains of progressive music across many continents. Originally intended as a studio-only project, Vallen and Grey put out feelers for a live band soon after the album's release, assembling the current lineup of Geoff Irish on drums, Zac Greensill on guitar and Dave Couper on bass and vocals.
CALIGULA’S HORSE's approach to songwriting is uncompromisingly eclectic, but no less accessible to audiences of all different musical styles. They take influence from such bands and artists as Devin Townsend, Pain Of Salvation, Opeth, Meshuggah, Porcupine Tree, Steve Vai, Frost, Periphery, Karnivool, Muse, Steely Dan, The Beatles, and Frank Zappa amongst many others.
After months of rehearsing the recorded material, and also recording two additional tracks as the “Colossus” EP - released in September of 2011 - the “C-HORSE”, as some devotees like to abbreviate it to kicked off with live shows in October 2011. These are early days for a diverse and enthusiastic bunch of young virtuosos, but 2012 looks to be the breakout year for CALIGULA’S HORSE.
Caligula's Horse is:
Jim Grey - Lead Vocals
Sam Vallen - Guitar, Programming, Production, Mixing
Dale Prinsse - Bass
Josh Griffin - Drums
Atlas
Caligula's Horse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A final skyward sigh
Please, send me safely home
It's almost time
Goodbye
Lay me down
Here I find myself again
All broken bones and eyes that wear their age
Like going home is etched on every page
Fragile Atlas
He carries that old smile
He will stay his weary arms
To just lay down a while
Lay me down
The ocean at my window
Here I find myself again
All broken bones and eyes that wear their age
Like going home is etched on every page
No!
Won't accept that's the way I go
(By my) quiet hand, sinking slow
Won't accept that's the way it ends
(Won't you) stay like stone and mend
I'll wear the words like Atlas, never said The day
I chose to stay
I wish I could have shared just a fraction of the peace that I found then
My friend
The ocean at my window
Here I find myself again
All broken bones and eyes that wear their age
Like going home is etched on every page
The lyrics of Caligula's Horse's song Atlas are melancholic and introspective, describing a person wishing for a peaceful and safe journey towards their ultimate end. The song employs a metaphor of carrying the burden of the world, like the god Atlas, to express the weight of aging and the inevitability of death. The opening lines evoke a sense of finality, a last sigh before departing. The ocean at the window symbolizes the vastness of life, the ever-present reminder of mortality. The singer wishes for a gentle passing and a return home, a place where all pain and suffering ends.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "lay me down," emphasizing the desire for a peaceful and painless exit. The imagery of broken bones and aged eyes suggests a life filled with experiences and struggles, but also with weariness and exhaustion. The singer expresses gratitude for the moments of peace and solace they have found, but also a longing to share them with a friend. The final lines of the song express hope, a plea for the friend to stay and mend, and a wish to have shared the peace found at the end of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Gently waking
Quietly waking up from sleep
A final skyward sigh
A deep breath before departing forever
Please, send me safely home
Requesting to be taken to a safe place or a place of rest
It's almost time
The end is near
Goodbye
Farewell
Lay me down
Asking to be laid down or buried
The ocean at my window
The view of the ocean from the window
Here I find myself again
Reflecting on past experiences or feeling nostalgic
All broken bones and eyes that wear their age
Physically and emotionally worn out and tired
Like going home is etched on every page
The desire to return home is deeply ingrained
Fragile Atlas
A metaphor for a person who is carrying a heavy burden
He carries that old smile
Despite the burden, he still smiles
He will stay his weary arms
He will rest and take a break from carrying the burden
To just lay down a while
To rest for a short period of time
No!
An interjection to express disagreement or disbelief
Won't accept that's the way I go
Refusing to believe that death is inevitable
(By my) quiet hand, sinking slow
A peaceful and gradual passing
Won't accept that's the way it ends
Refusing to believe that life ends in death
(Won't you) stay like stone and mend
Asking someone to stay strong and heal
I'll wear the words like Atlas, never said The day
Willing to carry the burden and never complain
I chose to stay
The choice to remain even though it is difficult
I wish I could have shared just a fraction of the peace that I found then
Wanting to share the peace and contentment found in a certain moment before death
My friend
Addressing someone who may not be present but is being thought of
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeffreystevens8042
the oCEAN AT MY WINDOOOOOOOOW
@dianam.benavidesvega9106
i love this more than life
@ink_prince
This album and band are absolutely incredible. As an American, I was incredibly lucky to see them in concert the other day. Phenomenal. Hopefully then can branch out further soon. Plus, the whole band is full of very genuine blokes. <3
@YoshiFan100
wait, they toured America?
@alexreinking
@@YoshiFan100 I assume Cykes was visiting Australia.
@progmetalnerd982
This album truly is a hidden gem i must say. Glad I found it on metalstorm!
@ignamax08
Thanks youtube for showing me this superb song
@Irmelinis
This song.. wow. It's so good it makes me cry. Amazing. Fantastic album too, one of the best ones this year.
@severedize
Trepic, i couldn't think of anything original to compliment your tune so combined tremendous and epic. ;)
@jehovahsfitness
Whenever I feel challenged, playing this song gives me a little push in the right path. The path where strength is littered through it before resulting in victory over plaguing problems.