Live To Tell The Tale
Nightwish & Tarja Turunen Lyrics

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A single grain can tip the scale
Amidst the burden, the scale will prevail
Showing what's worth being here
Storyteller by a hearth of stone

A white little creature purring me
My childhood kingdom gone in time
The islands filling my mind with blue

The one in special, heaven's court

All the joy unforgiven by this task

An errant soul, homeless and foul
All gone but the will to live to tell the tale

The days are filled with anxiety
Frustration, one right note a day
Where to find a perfect tune
Just do the work and take a step back

All the joy unforgiven by this task

An errant soul, homeless and foul
All gone but the will to live to tell the tale

Dark chambers of my mind
Locked around the neck of my love
None of you understand and it doesn't matter
To a broken marionette like me
(Me)

An errant soul, homeless and foul

An errant soul, homeless and foul
All gone but the will to live to tell the, to tell the tale

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nightwish's song Live to Tell the Tale are a powerful expression of the struggles of an artist, the burden of creativity, the memory of childhood and the importance of persevering through difficult times. The opening lines "A single grain can tip the scale / Amidst the burden, the scale will prevail / Showing what's worth being here" suggest that even the smallest thing can have a significant impact, and that even in the midst of hardship, there is a way forward. The scale refers to the weight of the world, the burden of being alive, but the artist must continue to create, to tell their story, to light the fire and share their experience with others.

The second stanza brings the listener into the artist's memories, which have long since gone by but remain vivid in their mind. The "white little creature purring" is likely a cat, a comforting presence when the kingdom of childhood has faded away. The islands in the mind offer a place of refuge and the image of "heaven's court" adds a note of mysticism, suggesting that even in the mundane, there is still magic to be found. However, the joy of these memories is tainted by the burden of the artist's task, which they describe as "unforgiven." This implies that there is a sense of guilt or regret attached to their work, a feeling that they are not living up to their own expectations.

The final stanza brings the song to a close, offering a bleak but ultimately hopeful image of the artist's state of mind. The "dark chambers" of their mind are a place of pain and anguish, locked around the neck of their love, suggesting that their creative endeavors have taken a toll on their personal relationships. However, the artist remains determined to "live to tell the tale," to persevere in the face of adversity and to share their experiences with others, in the hope that it will help them find their own way forward.

Line by Line Meaning

A single grain can tip the scale
One small thing can make a big difference.

Amidst the burden, the scale will prevail
In the face of difficulty, the truth will ultimately reveal itself.

Showing what's worth being here
Revealing what is truly important in life.

Storyteller by a hearth of stone
A person telling tales by a fireplace made of cold, hard material.

A white little creature purring me
A small, white animal making a comforting sound near the artist.

My childhood kingdom gone in time
The place where the singer felt safe and happy as a child has disappeared due to the passage of time.

The islands filling my mind with blue
The singer's thoughts are consumed by images of blue-filled islands.

The one in special, heaven's court
There is a specific island that holds a special place in the artist's heart, almost like a heavenly location.

All the joy unforgiven by this task
The artist is unable to enjoy life due to the demands of their responsibilities.

An errant soul, homeless and foul
The artist feels lost and without a home, and is consumed by negative emotions.

All gone but the will to live to tell the tale
Despite everything, the singer still has the desire to keep going and share their story with others.

The days are filled with anxiety
The artist's days are marked by a sense of nervousness and worry.

Frustration, one right note a day
Every day brings new challenges and difficulties that leave the singer feeling frustrated.

Where to find a perfect tune
The singer is searching for something that feels just right, whether that be a musical melody or a sense of contentment.

Just do the work and take a step back
The singer advises themselves to keep working and making progress, then take a moment to assess the situation.

Dark chambers of my mind
The artist's thoughts are filled with negative emotions and experiences.

Locked around the neck of my love
The artist's emotional baggage is affecting their relationships with loved ones.

None of you understand and it doesn't matter
The singer feels that no one around them can truly comprehend their struggles, and has given up hope of being understood.

To a broken marionette like me (Me)
The singer feels like a puppet, controlled by outside forces and unable to make their own decisions.

An errant soul, homeless and foul
Once again, the artist feels lost and without a sense of belonging or purpose.

An errant soul, homeless and foul
Repeating the previous sentiment for emphasis.

All gone but the will to live to tell the, to tell the tale
Despite everything, the artist is determined to keep going and share their experiences with others.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TUOMAS LAURI JOHANNES HOLOPAINEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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