Repentance
Dream Theater Lyrics

Staring at the empty page before me
Trying to confront my past mistakes by writing them down

All the years of wreckage run through my head
Remembering all the negative impacts caused by my actions

Patterns of my life have thawed and torn me
Realizing that my habitual way of living has hurt others and myself

Revealing hurtful shame and deep lament
Feeling regret and sorrow for the things that I've done

Overwhelming sorrow now absorbs me
Feeling completely consumed by my emotions

As the pen begins to trace my darkest past
Starting to write about the mistakes that I've made in life

Signs throughout my life that should have warned me
Realizing that there were warning signs that I ignored

Of all the wrongs I've done for which I must repent
Recognizing that I need to make reparations for the harm I've caused

I once thought it better to regret
Previously, I believed that it was better to regret taking action than to regret not taking action

Things that I have done, then haven't
Actions that I took and wish I could undo

Sometimes you've got to be wrong
Sometimes the only way to learn is by making mistakes

Learn the hard way
Learning lessons from the negative consequences of our actions

Sometimes you've got to be strong
It takes strength to confront our past mistakes

When you think it's too late
Even if a situation appears hopeless or beyond repair, it's never too late to try and make amends

Staring at the finished page before me
Looking at the page where I've written about my past mistakes

All the damage now so clear and evident
The negative impact of my actions is now completely apparent

Thinking 'bout the dreaded task in store for me
Contemplating the difficult steps I need to take to make amends

A bitter fear at the thought of my amends
Feeling afraid to try and make up for my past mistakes

Hoping that the step will help restore me
Hoping that the process of making amends will help me heal and grow

To face my past and ask for forgiveness
Taking responsibility for my actions by acknowledging them and asking for forgiveness

Cleaning up my dirty side of this un-swept street
Taking responsibility for and making amends for the harm I caused, even if it wasn't immediately visible to others

Could this be the beginning of the end?
Wondering if this process of acknowledging my past mistakes and making amends will be the start of a new chapter in my life

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development
If we are careful, thorough, and dedicated in addressing our past mistakes

We will be amazed before we are halfway through.
As we work on making amends, we will be surprised and encouraged by the progress we make

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
By taking responsibility for our past mistakes and working on making amends, we will experience a new sense of freedom and joy

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
Over time, we will come to accept and learn from our past mistakes, rather than being ashamed of them or wishing they hadn't happened

We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace
As we work through our mistakes and make amends, we will experience a sense of peace and calm

No matter how far down the scale we have gone.
Regardless of the severity of our past mistakes or how much harm they caused, there is always hope for growth and change

We will see how our experience can benefit others.
Through our own experiences and growth, we can help and inspire others going through similar struggles

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
As we work through our past mistakes, we will stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start feeling empowered and useful

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
As we grow and mature, we will become less focused on our own selfish desires and more focused on building connections and helping others

Self-seeking will slip away.
Our focus on our own needs and desires will diminish as we grow and mature

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
As we work through our past mistakes, we will develop a new perspective and approach to life

Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.
Our personal insecurities related to our relationships and financial situation will become less pronounced as we grow and mature

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
Through our own experiences and growth, we will develop a sense of intuition and confidence in handling difficult situations

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
As we work through our past mistakes and try to make amends, we may feel guided and supported by a higher power

Are these extravagant promises? We think not.
Although these promises may seem grand, we believe that they are within reach for anyone who approaches their past mistakes with sincerity and dedication

They have been fulfilled amongst others
These promises have been realized by others who have worked through their past mistakes

Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
The time it takes to work through our past mistakes and experience growth and change will vary from person to person

We will always be true to our principles.
As we grow and mature, we will remain committed to the values and principles that guide us

You're only as sick as your secrets
Keeping our past mistakes and regrets hidden can cause harm to ourselves and others

But the truth shall set you free.
Acknowledging and taking responsibility for our past mistakes is necessary for growth and personal freedom

The truth is the truth.
The facts of our past cannot be denied or ignored

That's all you can do is live with it.
Once we acknowledge and take responsibility for our past mistakes, all we can do is learn from them and move forward