The Island
Oh Sleeper Lyrics
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Fruits from the seeds I sowed
When I took the oar
I pulled the needle off of north
I forced my course
Without waiting for the wind's answer
I joined the infantry singing
No gods
No masters
That life is over
It's over
Forget the call, make it work and sing
No gods
No masters
Their reign is over
It's over
You're on your own, make it work
We built this ship from the wreckage
And just prayed it might be more
One step, two steps
Blood is warming in me yet
Three steps, more sweat
Now I'm gonna build my own damn thrown
Even if I have to melt the one we built to make one
Why leave the fire to chase an ember?
Why would you sunder your mast for tinder?
Just for tinder
Why leave the fire to chase an ember?
Why rob the hull of your surrender?
Your surrender
We built this ship from the wreckage
But left broken we ran ashore
One more, two more
Build a wall around my world
Three more, four more
Now I'll make it out of frozen stone
This time the mountain's gonna keep it's fire clear of my throne
We built this ship from the wreckage
We, the praised, ran ashore
One day at sea
Now one more day is all that I plea
And I'll burn the oars
I'll force dependance on the wind's answer
For this world
Is all rubble masquerading pearls
Why leave the fire to chase an ember?
Why would you sunder your mast for tinder?
Just for tinder
Why leave the fire to chase an ember?
Why rob the hull of your surrender?
Your surrender
Feeling returns like a surgeon severing a nerve
Lost soul's sending pain from the phantomverse
No gods
No masters
That life is over
It's over
No gods
No masters
Their reign is over
It's over
The lyrics of Oh Sleeper's song "The Island" explore themes of self-reliance, determination, and the pursuit of personal ambition. The song begins with a reflection on the consequences of the singer's actions, acknowledging both the sweet and bitter fruits that have resulted from their choices. They took control of their own destiny, steering their own course without waiting for external guidance or support.
The next section of the song focuses on the singer's defiance and determination to create their own path in life. They reject the notion of gods and masters and declare that such authority is no longer relevant. They emphasize the need to forget external expectations and make their own way, taking ownership of their actions.
The metaphor of building a ship from wreckage is used throughout the song. It represents the singer's ability to rebuild their life despite facing setbacks and obstacles. However, this rebuilding process also requires sacrifice. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to dismantle the ship they have built in order to create something even greater. This metaphor reflects the idea that sometimes one must break down what has been constructed in order to achieve personal growth and success.
There is a sense of urgency and resilience in the lyrics, as the singer continues to push forward despite the challenges they face. They question the pursuit of fleeting desires, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself and not sacrificing one's principles for temporary satisfaction.
Overall, "The Island" is a song that encourages self-reliance, determination, and the pursuit of personal ambition. It explores the idea of rebuilding and reinventing oneself, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Such bittersweet
A mixture of joy and sadness
Fruits from the seeds I sowed
Consequences of my actions and choices
When I took the oar
When I took control
I pulled the needle off of north
I deviated from the right path
I forced my course
I determined my own direction
Without waiting for the wind's answer
Without considering external influences
I joined the infantry singing
I joined a group, singing their beliefs
No gods
Rejecting the existence of higher powers
No masters
No authority figures to control us
That life is over
That way of living is finished
It's over
It has ended
Forget the call, make it work and sing
Ignore the expectations, make it successful and celebrate
Their reign is over
Their control is finished
You're on your own, make it work
You are responsible for your own success
We built this ship from the wreckage
We created something from the ruins
And just prayed it might be more
And hoped for something greater
One step, two steps
Progress, moving forward
Blood is warming in me yet
A renewed sense of strength and determination
Three steps, more sweat
Further effort and hard work required
Now I'm gonna build my own damn thrown
Now I will establish my own authority and power
Even if I have to melt the one we built to make one
Even if I have to destroy what we created to build my own
Why leave the fire to chase an ember?
Why abandon something substantial for something small?
Why would you sunder your mast for tinder?
Why would you break your support for something insignificant?
Just for tinder
Only for something fleeting and temporary
We built this ship from the wreckage
We created something from the ruins
But left broken we ran ashore
But in our brokenness, we found ourselves stranded
One more, two more
Further progression, more steps
Build a wall around my world
Protecting myself from external influences
Three more, four more
Continuing to work towards my goal
Now I'll make it out of frozen stone
Now I'll build with strength and resilience
This time the mountain's gonna keep it's fire clear of my throne
This time, I will keep my power secure and unaffected
One day at sea
One more day of uncertainty
Now one more day is all that I plea
Now I only ask for one more day
And I'll burn the oars
I'll destroy the means of control
I'll force dependance on the wind's answer
I'll rely on external guidance and influence
For this world
Because in this world
Is all rubble masquerading pearls
Everything seems valuable, but it's actually worthless
Feeling returns like a surgeon severing a nerve
Emotions come back painfully and forcefully
Lost soul's sending pain from the phantomverse
Tortured souls causing pain from an imaginary place
No gods
Rejecting the existence of higher powers
No masters
No authority figures to control us
That life is over
That way of living is finished
It's over
It has ended
No gods
Rejecting the existence of higher powers
No masters
No authority figures to control us
Their reign is over
Their control is finished
It's over
It has ended
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Micah Kinard, Shane Blay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpudsMcGeese
To all of you who want an explanation of the lyrics, I've typed up a copy of the meaning behind the lyrics taken straight from Micah's instagram. I copied this as is, typos and all. Hope you enjoy.
"The concept and story of Bloodied/Unbowed is a continuation of the concept from our "Titan EP" and picks up 30yrs in the future following the same main character and two entirely new characters. Bloodied/Unboweed follows these two new characters as they have a falling-out, drift apart, and eventually find their ways back to each other after a long time alone trying to make send of the world without the other. The entire story is actually a giant metaphor describing what's been going on with Oh Sleeper for the past 6 years, the two new characters representing Shane and I. The Island picks up on my leg of the story and, specifically, right after Warped Tour 2013. From the beginning of the band I've always felt unshakably certain that Oh Sleeper was exactly where I needed to be and that our message was my divine calling, the reason I was created...
But at this point, for the first time ever, I was feeling so jaded toward the band and the music scene in general, that I honestly wanted something completely different. ANYTHING completely different from my last 7 years of living on the road. I didn't want to be financially uncertain anymore, I didn't want to have to constantly compromise with my bandmates, I didn't want to jockey for the attention of an already over-saturated audience... I wanted to be the undisputed captain of my life and just do everything EXACTLY how I saw fit. So, for the first time in a very long time, I completely ignored the weight of responsibility on my heart, I told Zac and Shane that I wanted Oh Sleepr to take a break, I purposed to my girlfriend, bought a house, cut all my hair off, and took the first job offered to me. It was soul-sucking, but I ignored it, bouncing from job to job to job, and, in some ways, becoming very successful... but it was empty...
The wins I experienced were all grey, I would find myself reminiscing of sweating, wearing only my underwear in the overheating-van with $5 to my name, driving through the desert at 35mph trying to draw heat of the engine by running the heater in the middle of summer and still just being overjoyed to be there, overjoyed to meet whoever was going to be at our show that night. It reminded me of a fire that once burned bright in me and I wanted to do anything to get back there, I was willing to trade everything I had to do it and started praying for a way back. Praying that it wasn't too late...
I decided to share this by creating the metaphor of a sailor causing a mutiny, overruling the captain and taking control of the ship, telling everyone to forget the call that brought them there and to just "make it work". To become their own masters and carve out neew lives. He then runs the ship ahore an island and dismantles it for firewood. He builds his own kingdom, but every time he finally builds his throne, the island erupts, destroying it all. Every time he wakes up defeateed he just starts building again, determined to make it work, ignoring that this volcanic island he's chosen to make his home will never sustain him. It simply was never meant to."
@nickphillips7330
I love that riff before the chorus so much.
@SpudsMcGeese
To all of you who want an explanation of the lyrics, I've typed up a copy of the meaning behind the lyrics taken straight from Micah's instagram. I copied this as is, typos and all. Hope you enjoy.
"The concept and story of Bloodied/Unbowed is a continuation of the concept from our "Titan EP" and picks up 30yrs in the future following the same main character and two entirely new characters. Bloodied/Unboweed follows these two new characters as they have a falling-out, drift apart, and eventually find their ways back to each other after a long time alone trying to make send of the world without the other. The entire story is actually a giant metaphor describing what's been going on with Oh Sleeper for the past 6 years, the two new characters representing Shane and I. The Island picks up on my leg of the story and, specifically, right after Warped Tour 2013. From the beginning of the band I've always felt unshakably certain that Oh Sleeper was exactly where I needed to be and that our message was my divine calling, the reason I was created...
But at this point, for the first time ever, I was feeling so jaded toward the band and the music scene in general, that I honestly wanted something completely different. ANYTHING completely different from my last 7 years of living on the road. I didn't want to be financially uncertain anymore, I didn't want to have to constantly compromise with my bandmates, I didn't want to jockey for the attention of an already over-saturated audience... I wanted to be the undisputed captain of my life and just do everything EXACTLY how I saw fit. So, for the first time in a very long time, I completely ignored the weight of responsibility on my heart, I told Zac and Shane that I wanted Oh Sleepr to take a break, I purposed to my girlfriend, bought a house, cut all my hair off, and took the first job offered to me. It was soul-sucking, but I ignored it, bouncing from job to job to job, and, in some ways, becoming very successful... but it was empty...
The wins I experienced were all grey, I would find myself reminiscing of sweating, wearing only my underwear in the overheating-van with $5 to my name, driving through the desert at 35mph trying to draw heat of the engine by running the heater in the middle of summer and still just being overjoyed to be there, overjoyed to meet whoever was going to be at our show that night. It reminded me of a fire that once burned bright in me and I wanted to do anything to get back there, I was willing to trade everything I had to do it and started praying for a way back. Praying that it wasn't too late...
I decided to share this by creating the metaphor of a sailor causing a mutiny, overruling the captain and taking control of the ship, telling everyone to forget the call that brought them there and to just "make it work". To become their own masters and carve out neew lives. He then runs the ship ahore an island and dismantles it for firewood. He builds his own kingdom, but every time he finally builds his throne, the island erupts, destroying it all. Every time he wakes up defeateed he just starts building again, determined to make it work, ignoring that this volcanic island he's chosen to make his home will never sustain him. It simply was never meant to."
@6shot6
thanks for this, dont really pay attention to metal lyrics but now i have to haha
@theniceguy7824
So the album has absolutely nothing to do with God, interesting. Thank you
@MrIandalton
NiceGuy Roy - didn’t he say Oh Sleeper is why he was created and he had a Devine calling to share his message? Isn’t the album about abandoning all that to make his own way? This is very much about God even though it’s not as blatantly obvious as past albums.
@theniceguy7824
@@MrIandalton I guess it's all about how you look at it
@reaganlyle5088
@@theniceguy7824 It echos the parable of the prodigal son
@thisisfyne
Oh Sleeper are one of the rare metal bands that kept being consistently amazing throughout the years!
Can't wait for the album and see them live for the first time <3
@georgeantonioandrei8570
Have you seen them live? Are they great?
@thisisfyne
@@georgeantonioandrei8570 Yeah I finally saw them, really really small venue in my city but they absolutely killed it! Real talented and nice guys, they even mingled with people at the end of the show to chat and whatnot.