In the beginning of 1998 Johan Svensson showed interest in the band and joined on guitar/bass. This new line-up didn’t last long since we had different aims and after some months Forest of Shadows was once again a one-man band. After Johan’s departure I started to redo the recordings of the old songs and in may 1998 the same four songs were released on the first real demo, titled “The Silent Cry”. During the release of the demo I got in contact with a friend of a friend, Micce Andersson, who found my band interesting and wanted to help me out. Almost instantly we wrote the opening riff of “Eternal Autumn” and started discussing some old songs to re-record.
In the beginning of 1999 we contacted Katatonia and asked them if we could do a cover of their masterpiece “Rainroom”. They approved and we recorded the song as well as a new version of “The Silent Cry”. In may 1999, a year after the release of the first demo, we released a promo called “promotion-cd 1999” which featured these two song. The intention of the promo was to show our new direction and sound which was a success since we recieved good critics from both friends and zines. We were really satisfied with what we had accomplished and ready to take it all a step further.
To read more, please visit: www.forestofshadows.com
Of Sorrow Blue
Forest of Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing midst the meadows of my dreams
My precious one my fallen beauty
Fallen beneath a dismal cloud
I recall that dreary morning
I ran to the shores of her eyes
I was there watching the seas
And it was all silent upon the sea
The final stream of angel gleam
There was no farewell of solace
Before the caravan was gone
Of sorrow blue and clad in tears
Her cordial hands reach for me
My peaceful dream her soothing warmth
Fallen beneath a dismal cloud
I bow to her beautiful name
The flowers need not to be watered
These tears wont let the soil dry
Where her name is carved in stone
You were my core you were my soul
Lips of roses mane of gold
Intoxicated we lay entwined
I wore the carnal crown of sorrow
Blue and clad in soil
My mind still echoes from her songs
Earth and time are calling my name
Let me fall beneath this dismal cloud
The Forest of Shadows song "Of Sorrow Blue" is a hauntingly melancholic reflection on the loss of a loved one. The opening lines describe the central figure of the song as "of sorrow blue and clad in mist," a personification of grief that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The singer is in a dream-like state, wandering through meadows and seeking comfort in memories of the past. The object of their affection is referred to as "my fallen beauty," a poignant phrase that highlights the sense of loss and tragedy.
The song is filled with vivid and poetic imagery that draws the listener into the world of the singer. The line "a candle caravan / the final stream of angel gleam" conjures up a ghostly procession of mourners, while "lips of roses mane of gold" paints a picture of the beauty and youth of the person who has passed away. The refrain of "fallen beneath a dismal cloud" reinforces the idea of the overwhelming weight of grief and despair.
One of the most affecting moments in the song comes towards the end, when the singer describes lying with their loved one, "intoxicated" by their closeness. The line "I wore the carnal crown of sorrow / blue and clad in soil" is a striking metaphor for the burden of grief that the singer carries, and the final line "let me fall beneath this dismal cloud" is a powerful expression of the desire to give in to the darkness and be reunited with the departed loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Of sorrow blue and clad in mist
The singer is overwhelmed with sadness and lost in a fog of uncertainty and sadness.
Dancing midst the meadows of my dreams
The singer's sorrow is manifest in their dreams, which are the only place where they can feel free enough to express their sadness.
My precious one my fallen beauty
The singer is addressing someone they loved deeply who has died and still holds a special place in their heart.
Fallen beneath a dismal cloud
The person the artist loved has died, and their death has cast a dark shadow over the artist's life, making it difficult to find happiness or hope.
I recall that dreary morning
The artist is reliving the moment they heard the news of their loved one's death and the overwhelming grief that followed.
I ran to the shores of her eyes
The singer is trying to hold on to memories of their loved one and find solace in the past.
I was there watching the seas
The singer is lost in thought, looking for answers and guidance, but finding only silence and emptiness.
And it was all silent upon the sea
The artist is feeling isolated and alone, unable to find comfort or companionship in the world around them.
A candle caravan
The artist is remembering a funeral procession, where the body of their loved one is carried to its final resting place.
The final stream of angel gleam
The artist is trying to find some hope or meaning in their loved one's death, imagining their ascent into heaven.
There was no farewell of solace
The singer didn't have a chance to say goodbye or find closure with their loved one, leaving them feeling lost and alone in their grief.
Before the caravan was gone
The artist is remembering the final moments of their loved one's funeral procession, struggling to let go and say goodbye.
Her cordial hands reach for me
The singer is imagining their loved one reaching out from beyond the grave to comfort and reassure them, to help them find peace and move forward.
My peaceful dream her soothing warmth
The singer is finding comfort in the memory of their loved one, imagining them as a source of peace and warmth in their life.
I bow to her beautiful name
The singer is paying tribute to their loved one, acknowledging the impact they had on their life and showing them the respect they deserve.
The flowers need not to be watered
The artist is lamenting the fact that nothing can bring their loved one back, that there's no use trying to keep their memory alive through traditional means.
These tears wont let the soil dry
The artist's grief is so deep and powerful that it feels like it's watering the ground, keeping the memory of their loved one alive long after their passing.
Where her name is carved in stone
The singer is imagining a grave or headstone with their loved one's name on it, a marker of their life and legacy that will stand the test of time.
You were my core you were my soul
The singer is acknowledging the profound impact their loved one had on their life, how they were the foundation of everything they held dear.
Lips of roses mane of gold
The artist is describing their loved one, remembering their physical appearance and the way they made them feel when they were together.
Intoxicated we lay entwined
The artist is remembering a moment of intimacy and connection with their loved one, a moment that they treasure and hold dear.
I wore the carnal crown of sorrow
The artist is acknowledging the depth of their grief and the weight of their loved one's passing, feeling like they're carrying the burden of sorrow all by themselves.
Blue and clad in soil
The singer is describing their emotional state as one of sadness and despair, feeling like they're buried alive in their grief and longing for a way out.
My mind still echoes from her songs
The artist is finding comfort in the memory of their loved one's voice, remembering the way they used to sing and the impact it had on their life.
Earth and time are calling my name
The singer is aware of the passage of time and the inevitability of their own death, feeling like their life is slipping away from them and the world is moving on without them.
Let me fall beneath this dismal cloud
The singer is surrendering to their grief and allowing themselves to feel the full weight of their sadness, hoping that it will one day lift and they can find a way to move forward.
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.