Burden
Opeth Lyrics


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I once upon a time
Carried a burden inside
Some will ask goodbye
A broken line but underlined
There's an ocean of sorrow in you

Sorrow in me
Saw movement in their eyes
Said I no longer knew the way
Given up the ghost
A passing minds and its a fear
And the wait for redemption ahead

Waiting to fade

Fading again

If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear




Taken more than we've received
And the ocean of sorrow is you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Opeth's song Burden delve into themes of loss, grief, redemption and acceptance. The song opens with the singer reflecting on a past burden that they once carried, indicating that it is a memory that still lingers. The line "some will ask goodbye, a broken line but underlined" suggests a complex farewell, perhaps one that wasn't entirely amicable or one that wasn't fully expressed.


The repeated line "there's an ocean of sorrow in you, sorrow in me" highlights the interconnectedness of human emotion, that the sorrow we carry within ourselves can also be found in those around us. The second verse touches on the fear of losing one's mind or sense of direction, with the singer admitting they no longer know the way. The line "given up the ghost" could refer to either the singer feeling like they have lost their soul or spirit, or perhaps a reference to the phrase "giving up the ghost" meaning to die. The wait for redemption ahead suggests that the singer still hopes to find a way to redeem themselves or make amends for their past mistakes.


The final verse brings the song to a close with the acknowledgement that mistakes have been made and that the singer is ready to face the consequences of their actions. The line "whisper in my ear, taken more than we've received" suggests a plea for forgiveness or understanding, that perhaps the pain they've caused was not intentional or was in response to their own pain. The ocean of sorrow being "you" could mean that the source of the singer's pain is someone else or that it is a collective pain that they share with the world.


Line by Line Meaning

I once upon a time
At one point in the past


Carried a burden inside
Had a heavy emotional weight within


Some will ask goodbye
People will leave


A broken line but underlined
A path that was damaged but still present


There's an ocean of sorrow in you
You are consumed by sorrow


Sorrow in me
I too am consumed by sorrow


Saw movement in their eyes
Noticed a change in their expression


Said I no longer knew the way
Admitted to being lost


Given up the ghost
Lost hope


A passing minds and its a fear
A brief moment of uncertainty and anxiety


And the wait for redemption ahead
Anticipation for salvation


Waiting to fade
Ready to disappear


Fading again
Becoming less noticeable


If death should take me now
If I were to die


Count my mistakes and let me through
Evaluate my wrongdoings and grant me passage


Whisper in my ear
Speak to me softly


Taken more than we've received
The world has taken from us more than it has given


And the ocean of sorrow is you
You are the source of the overwhelming sadness




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKAEL LARS AKERFELDT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@digantasaha5377

I, once upon a time
Carried a burden inside
I sung a last goodbye
A broken rhyme I had underlined
There's an ocean of sorrow in you

A sorrow in me

I saw a movement in their eyes
They said I no longer knew the way
I had given up the ghost
A passive mind submit to fear
And the wait for redemption at hand

Waiting to fail

Failing again

If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear
You've taken more than we've received
And the ocean of sorrow is you



@santhomjoseph9412

Lyrics

I once upon a time
Carried a burden inside
Some will ask goodbye
A broken line but underlined
There's an ocean of sorrow in you
Sorrow in me
Saw movement in their eyes
Said I no longer knew the way
Given up the ghost
A passing minds and its a fear
And the wait for redemption ahead
Waiting to fade
Fading again
If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear
Taken more than we've received
And the ocean of sorrow is you



All comments from YouTube:

@owengonzales53

This band has one of the most beautiful uses of dissonance

@lucst.martin2112

It’s freaking poetic!

@devilsephiroth9000

The word i believe you wanna use is

Bleak 😂

@brandonharris9160

Well, a minor 2nd is always in a major chord technically and there is a minor second in harmonic minor

@Colossians3.1

This song is truly a masterpiece

@drigoli86

yes, as the entire album

@SmokeyYunick13

Solo at the end makes me well up in tears

@quilmesdave

+David King Somos dos!!! Me too David!!! It has so much passion in it...

@Ahmed3eeid

+quilmesdave jeje all of us

@jasonashley9853

Been a long time since your comment but I agree. Makes the well flow like a motherfucker.

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