Loreena says: “There is something about the simplicity of voices singing in unison in a choir that has always had a special magic for me, whether it is at Christmastime in church or other gatherings, or throughout a variety of cultural and religious traditions around the world. Singing in a group is one of my earliest memories of making music, and it reminds me that in many places around the world, music is still something to participate in, rather than merely a fashion commodity to be purchased.
“The special sound of choral voices is something I hope to explore once again in the studio. It adds an air of community and shared experience that is very precious.”
Dante's Prayer
Loreena McKennitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
The lyrics of Loreena McKennitt's song Dante's Prayer speak of a person's journey through a dark period in life, filled with doubt, fear and sorrow, and the search for hope and meaning. The first stanza describes the feeling of being lost and overwhelmed, when all paths seem blocked and the only comfort comes from the hard work of "tilling the sorrows of stone". However, even in the darkest moments, there is a glimmer of faith and trust, symbolized by the unnamed "you" who comes in the night and shows the singer "love in the light of the stars". This suggests that hope can come from unexpected sources and that there is always a reason to keep searching for the light.
The second stanza introduces a new challenge, in the form of a mountain and a well. This represents the difficulty of facing one's own desires and fears, and the need for forgiveness and strength. The repeated refrain of "Cast your eyes on the ocean, cast your soul to the sea" is a call to surrender to something greater than oneself, to let go of control and embrace the vastness of the universe. The final stanza brings together the themes of fragility and transformation, asking for divine intervention to lift up the singer's heart and turn tears into hope. The repeated plea to "please remember me" is a humble acknowledgement of the limits of human existence and the desire to be seen and valued by others, especially during times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
When the dark wood fell before me
As I was lost in a dark forest, feeling hopeless and alone
And all the paths were overgrown
And there seemed to be no way out, as all the paths were blocked
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
And even authority figures, who claim to know the way, say there's no other option
I tilled the sorrows of stone
I dug deep into my own struggles, seeking to find answers from within
I did not believe because I could not see
I struggled to have faith because I couldn't see the way forward
Though you came to me in the night
But even in my darkest moments, there were signs of hope
When the dawn seemed forever lost
When it seemed like light would never return to my life
You showed me your love in the light of the stars
I was reminded of the power of love and hope in the world, even amidst darkness
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Look out at the vast expanse of the sea
Cast your soul to the sea
Let your spirit be free and open to the world
When the dark night seems endless
In moments of despair and hopelessness
Please remember me
Remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Then the mountain rose before me
As if a new challenge appeared, out of nowhere
By the deep well of desire
Fed by our deepest longings and hopes
From the fountain of forgiveness
And the power to forgive ourselves and others
Beyond the ice and the fire
And even amidst the most challenging obstacles and difficulties
Though we share this humble path, alone
Even though each of us walks our own path through life
How fragile is the heart
Our hearts are delicate, and easily broken
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
Help us to transcend our earthly limitations, and rise above them
To touch the face of the stars
To be connected to something greater than ourselves
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Infuse our hearts with the life force we need to keep going
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Help us to see beyond the veil of mortality and fear that grips us
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
Help us to heal the pain and disappointment of our broken dreams
We'll rise above these earthly cares
To transcend the pain and suffering of our mortal existence
Please remember me
And always, always remember that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Please remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Please remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Please remember me
Remember that you are not alone, and that hope and love exist in the world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARAM ILJITSCH KHACHATURIAN, WALTER WILLIAM SHILLITTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@contrafagott77
When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
Please remember me
@8888movietime
My wife died young three years ago. I think about her every day. My Grace was as lovely as this song. I will always love you.
@Darkangel112ful
Meus sentimentos
@emilielescanne6015
My thoughts go with you ❤️
@tommy22richards
💕
@consuelosulas4705
Nobody die in our hearts
@arianadesouza766
Sorry
@Cdn0069
It’s been 8 years since I lost the most beautiful woman . Stunning, brilliantly smart, classy and a joy to everyone fortunate enough to have known and loved her. But as they say , the candle which burns twice as bright lasts only half as long. Sometimes those who seem the happiest are fighting unbelievable sadness inside. The day of the funeral while driving to the service, out nowhere the CD player started playing this song, all on its own. Before I realized …. It played this piece 3 times back to back , then stopped… silence. The grief in that moment was overwhelming, I had to pull over. I’m a man , and a bit of a hard ass. We don’t show a lot of emotion. We are supposed to be the source of strength . But that day on the side of a highway I wept, the pain of losing her was too much to bear. Love ya Mel … as much now as that night I proposed to you on the beach in the hurricane. I was only mad because I lost you …. It’s been years … and as much as I wish, no amount of rage or frustration can undo the past. It’s like shouting into the darkness and only hearing the echo of your own voice …. No answers . Just silence. I hope you have peace beautiful girl . I’m a better man for having loved you , and I will be forever grateful for that…….and That’s all there is now. Never forgotten .. just the love.
@susand3668
My dear brother in pain, she is not lost to you, only hidden. Your car radio knew she was alive on a different plane. And are you not smarter than a radio? Peace be with you
@LYDIACORNELLCOMEDYTHERAPY
Omg your words are making me cry, Your words are straight from heaven and your loved one's heart. Thank you.
@Cdn0069
@LYDIA CORNELL COMEDY THERAPY God sends his angels in the strangest ways , and sometimes for whatever reason he calls them back far too soon for us. My crime was to fall in love with one of them a lifetime ago… but we move on. We have to . If life is about learning, then learning to love honestly and deeply with every heartbeat and every fibre of your being was worth the price in the end. …… I feel so bad for the kids today growing up in this sexualized instant gratification world where people are reduced to swipe right playing cards, and nobody gives a damn about anybody except for what they can get … sexually or financially or whatever. Different times I guess .