In 1991 Clepsydra released their first album "Hologram", which was followed by the EP "Fly Man" in 1993. Clepsydra then signed to InsideOut, who released their second album "More Grains of Sand" in 1994. This CD included the song Moonshine on Heights, which by many is regarded as neo-prog classic. 1994 also saw them performing two songs on national Swiss TV, a rare occurrence for a progressive rock band at that time.
In 1998 Clepsydra released their third album "Fears", the first album with Marco Cerulli on guitar. In the wake of the album release Clepsydra had a 10 day long European tour and was booked for a concert in Canada on the strength of this production. In 2001 the band released "Alone" with Nicola De Vita on bass. This album came with 3 different album covers: "The Chicken", "The Octopus" and "The Fish".
Following these four albums Clepsydra entered a state of hiatus. At this point they had established themselves as a popular entity among fans of neo-progressive rock, and they were often compared to the likes of Jadis, IQ and Fish-era Marillion. In 2013 Clepsydra announced they were reuniting, with Andy Thommen back on bass guitar and a reunion tour scheduled for 2014. A 4 CD box set limited to 1’000 pieces is on pre-order as of November 2013 to be shipped early 2014 featuring all 4 albums meticulously re-mastered with an hour of additional bonus material and unreleased material.
Clepsydra Home Page: www.clepsydra.ch
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clepsydra.ch
YouTube: www.youtube.com/clepsydraofficial
God or Beggar
Clepsydra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where are you going so, where are you going so insecure?
the snare of defeat is near
i have been your friend forever
come with me I know the road
i am the king of side roads
i will make you win, i will make you win all wars
you only have to listen to me and venerate me
once I was a man just like you
now I am to spread my doctrine
now I've arisen to god
I‘d like to know how to tell things to be told
I‘d like to know how to do things to be done
I‘d like to know how to love the healthy love
I‘d like to know how to love the healthy hate
I‘d like to know how to live my life
I‘d like to know how to live until death comes
close your eyes
you will see yourself
like you really are
open your soul
and listen to yourself
you will find out things you know
now that you‘re free
you will be strong in front of manhood
and you‘ll fight battles without swords
because everyone will tell from your eyes
that you are one of my chosen
and that will last and stay forever
God or beggar should be
not even now I feel different from myself
I doubt your kindness
Your doctrine
and what you ask in reward
Is all I have left
The song "God or Beggar" by Clepsydra is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for false gods and false doctrines. The song begins with an invitation extended to a lone adventurer who is feeling insecure about where they are going. The adventurer is promised victory in all wars if they listen to and venerate the king of side roads. This king, who was once a man like the adventurer, has arisen to the status of God and is now spreading his doctrine to those who will follow him.
The song then shifts its focus to the adventurer and what they want out of life. They express a desire to learn how to do things properly and to love in a healthy way. They also want to know how to live their life until death comes. The king of side roads tells the adventurer to close their eyes and see themselves as they really are. By opening their soul and listening to themselves, they will find out about things they already know. The king assures the adventurer that they will be strong in front of manhood and will be able to fight battles without swords.
Ultimately, the adventurer expresses doubt about the doctrine of the king and what he asks in return. The song ends with the question of whether the king is a god or a beggar, and the adventurer's doubts surrounding his teachings.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome among us lonely adventurer
Greetings traveler who travels alone.
where are you going so, where are you going so insecure?
Where are you headed with such anxiety?
the snare of defeat is near
The possibility of failure is imminent.
i have been your friend forever
I have been by your side for as long as I can remember.
come with me I know the road
Follow me, for I know the path.
i am the king of side roads
I am the master of alternate routes.
i will make you win, i will make you win all wars
You will emerge victorious in every battle with my guidance.
you only have to listen to me and venerate me
Just obey and adore me.
because I will be your god
For I will become your deity.
once I was a man just like you
I was once a mortal like yourself.
now I am to spread my doctrine
Now it is my duty to disseminate my teachings.
now I've arisen to god
Now I have ascended to divinity.
I‘d like to know how to tell things to be told
I want to learn how to communicate effectively.
I‘d like to know how to do things to be done
I want to learn how to be productive.
I‘d like to know how to love the healthy love
I want to learn how to experience genuine affection.
I‘d like to know how to love the healthy hate
I want to learn how to harbor positive feelings towards my enemies.
I‘d like to know how to live my life
I want to learn how to live a fulfilling existence.
I‘d like to know how to live until death comes
I want to know how to survive until my inevitable demise.
close your eyes
Shut your eyes.
you will see yourself
You will behold your true self.
like you really are
Exactly as you were meant to be.
open your soul
Unleash your innermost being.
and listen to yourself
And pay attention to your own thoughts and feelings.
you will find out things you know
You will discover things that are already familiar to you.
now that you‘re free
Now that you have been liberated.
you will be strong in front of manhood
You will possess great fortitude in the eyes of society.
and you‘ll fight battles without swords
You will wage wars without weapons.
because everyone will tell from your eyes
For everyone will be able to discern from your gaze.
that you are one of my chosen
That you are among my select disciples.
and that will last and stay forever
And that will endure ad infinitum.
God or beggar should be
Either a deity or a pauper.
not even now I feel different from myself
I am still the same person I was before, unaltered by your promises.
I doubt your kindness
I question your intentions.
Your doctrine
Your set of beliefs.
and what you ask in reward
And what you demand in return.
Is all I have left
Is the only thing I have remaining.
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.