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
Oceanrise
Caligula's Horse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beg the illness
Plead for stillness where the mountain’s made
Run, you always run
Like you need disaster
Was it fate you’re after?
Flee your fate to find it
Run
Precious nothing
There’s no heaven here
There’s your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
Weave away
Standing still is for the fearless
You were learning to run
To burning lungs, death came as an ocean
One with her wild devotion
It’s done
The fight was won,
but foam and fury’s in our blood
So run, just like you always run
The desert cannot drown the flood
It’s your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
We rise into the epitaph,
an end to measure man
We rise,
here where the body shapes the mountain where you stand
The ocean rises alive
It’s your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
"Oceanrise" by Caligula's Horse is a song about embracing change and overcoming obstacles in order to reach one's full potential. The lyrics employ nature imagery, particularly the ocean and the desert, to symbolize the challenges and triumphs of life's journey.
The song begins with the lines "Weaver, wait / Beg the illness / Plead for stillness where the mountain’s made." Here, the singer implores for patience and seeks solace in the face of adversity. The repetition of the phrase "You run, you always run" indicates a recurring pattern of fleeing from one's fate or destiny, perhaps out of fear or uncertainty. However, the lyrics suggest that true growth and fulfillment can only be achieved by confronting and embracing one's circumstances.
The chorus highlights the significance of the ocean rise, which represents a legacy in living and a promise in an ending. It is a metaphor for the culmination of one's experiences and accomplishments, standing as a testament to their journey. Despite the desert's attempts to drown the water, the singer is encouraged to be the flood, to be the ocean, implying the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The bridge of the song speaks to the indomitable spirit of humanity, likening it to a rising ocean and the shaping of mountains. It emphasizes that despite the fleeting nature of life, the impact we leave behind through our actions and accomplishments is enduring.
Overall, "Oceanrise" is a powerful message about embracing change, facing challenges head-on, and leaving a lasting impact through personal growth and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Weaver, wait
Take your time and pause for a moment
Beg the illness
Ask for relief from suffering and pain
Plead for stillness where the mountain’s made
Request for peace and tranquility amidst difficulties
Run, you always run
Escape from problems and challenges
Like you need disaster
As if chaos and catastrophe are necessary for you
Was it fate you’re after?
Were you searching for your destiny?
Flee your fate to find it
Avoid your predestined path in order to discover it
Precious nothing
What you hold dear is ultimately insignificant
There’s no heaven here
There is no paradise or perfect place in this world
There’s your ocean rise
You have the power to create a transformation
A legacy in living
Leaving a lasting impact through your actions
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Finding hope and victory in the face of conclusion
Setting sun
The sun descending below the horizon
The desert cannot drown the water
Difficulties and challenges cannot extinguish resilience
Be the flood, be the ocean
Embrace your strength and vastness
Weave away
Keep moving forward and adapting
Standing still is for the fearless
Only those without fear can afford to remain motionless
You were learning to run
You were discovering your ability to face challenges
To burning lungs, death came as an ocean
Death arrived overwhelmingly and unexpectedly
One with her wild devotion
Joined together with passionate dedication
It’s done
The battle or struggle is over
The fight was won, but foam and fury’s in our blood
Although victorious, aggression and intensity remain ingrained
So run, just like you always run
Continue your pattern of evading challenges
The desert cannot drown the flood
Obstacles cannot overpower your determination
We rise into the epitaph, an end to measure man
Ascending towards a memorial, marking the significance of humanity
We rise, here where the body shapes the mountain where you stand
Elevate ourselves, where our physical existence molds the surroundings
The ocean rises alive
The vast expanse grows and thrives
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Grey, Josh Griffin, Samuel Vallen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boing !
Weaver, wait
Beg the illness
Plead for stillness
Where the mountain's made
Run, you always run
Like you need disaster
Was it fate you're after?
You run (you run), you always run
Flee your fate to find it, run
Precious nothing, there's no heaven here
There's your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
Weave away
Standing still is for the fearless
You were learning to run
To burning lungs
Death came as an ocean
One with her wild devotion
It's done, the fight was won
But foam and fury's in our blood
So run, just like you always run
The desert cannot drown the flood
It's your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
Be the flood, be the ocean
Be the flood, be the ocean
We rise into the epitaph
An end to measure man
We rise
Here where the body shapes the mountain where you stand
The ocean rises alive
It's your ocean rise
A legacy in living
A promise in an ending, triumphant
Your ocean rise
Setting sun
The desert cannot drown the water
Be the flood, be the ocean
Iva
This band is so good, yet so criminally underrated!
Māl Akāi
They're only considered underrated to people outside of the prog community. I've seen a lot of people recommend or reference caligula's horse on songs by other bands, it's actually how I discovered them.
villebooks
rolling eyes
mperstl13
Underrated? They tour with bands like Opeth, Dream Theater, Devin Townsend...
André Luiz Dezope Silva
Just like Arcane !
Zal
Yeah wtf, 100k views right????
Rosie is very cool
I legitimately only found this band the other day because my friend and I were researching Caligula
I'm so happy I somehow ended up here
Marcela Bovio
My favorite track on this monstrously great album 💕🌊
Yener Celtikci
Mine is SALT! by far!
Marcela Angulo
same! :D