A Poem for Byzantium
Delerium Lyrics


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Unforbidden shadows of you formed yesterday
I ran away to a room here on the bay
Interrupted life again, another new beginning
Where the silence echoes
You're no longer with me

Here and now
I feel that I'm embracing freedom
Even though I may be alone
But that's okay

Through the darkness
I would walk in the streets
Confessions never seemed
To provide me with a release
Held me down and tried to cure me
Tried to give me reason
But nothing could sepearate
This burdened mind from me

Here and now
I feel that I'm embracing freedom
Even though I may be alone, but that's okay
Looking out to a different sky will disengage me
Absence is never the answer, I know
But it serves as my shade

I do not seek and not intend to find
A calmer ocean or a sun that'll never rise
My world will never change
And time will bring you to my thoughts
I'll move on and forget you all over again
Moving on, I can forgive you all over again

Here and now
I feel that I'm embracing freedom
Even though I may be alone, but that's okay
And looking out onto a different sky
It seems so easy




Absence is never the answer, I know
But it serves as my shade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Delerium's "A Poem for Byzantium" describe a person's struggle with letting go of past relationships and finding their own sense of freedom. The opening lines illustrate the recurring memories of a past relationship, which are constantly present ("unforbidden shadows of you formed yesterday"). The singer retreats to a new beginning where they can come to terms with the absence of their partner ("interrupted life again, another new beginning").


As the song progresses, the singer reflects on their emotional struggles and the desperation they experienced ("confessions never seemed to provide me with a release"). However, they eventually come to a sense of acceptance and freedom, acknowledging that being alone is not necessarily a bad thing ("even though I may be alone, but that's okay"). They find solace in the fact that they can move on from their past relationship, but still hold onto the memories ("time will bring you to my thoughts").


The overall message of "A Poem for Byzantium" is one of acceptance, growth and moving on from the past.


Line by Line Meaning

Unforbidden shadows of you formed yesterday
Memories of you recreated themselves in my mind yesterday, without my permission


I ran away to a room here on the bay
To escape those memories, I fled to a room near the sea


Interrupted life again, another new beginning
My life was disrupted once again, forcing me to start anew


Where the silence echoes
In that room, there was an overwhelming silence that echoed around me


You're no longer with me
I acknowledge that you are no longer a part of my life


Here and now I feel that I'm embracing freedom Even though I may be alone But that's okay
I am currently experiencing a sense of liberation and self-sufficiency, despite being alone, and that's alright with me


Through the darkness I would walk in the streets Confessions never seemed To provide me with a release Held me down and tried to cure me Tried to give me reason But nothing could separate This burdened mind from me
During my darkest times, walking in the streets never alleviated my struggles. Confiding in others failed to provide me solace or any solutions. I was held back and treated for my problems, but nothing could fully diminish my mental strain


Looking out to a different sky will disengage me Absence is never the answer, I know But it serves as my shade
Gazing at a new horizon will momentarily disentangle me from my distress. I understand that separation isn't ultimately the solution but it does provide momentary relief, like a cool shade on a sunny day


I do not seek and not intend to find A calmer ocean or a sun that'll never rise My world will never change And time will bring you to my thoughts I'll move on and forget you all over again Moving on, I can forgive you all over again
I am not actively pursuing a more peaceful life, nor am I searching for an eternal tranquillity. My world is as it is, and nothing will make it different. However, time will elapse and I'll be reminded of your existence. Yet, I will move forward and forget you, as I've done before, and give forgiveness if needed


And looking out onto a different sky It seems so easy Absence is never the answer, I know But it serves as my shade
When I observe another sky, it appears to be so simple and uncomplicated, but I acknowledge that merely distancing oneself isn't the ultimate solution, although it does serve temporarily, as a source of calm




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOANNA STEVENS, WILHELM LEEB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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