Orphaned Land is a doom/death band at its core, but they are highly influenced by the folk music and tradition of the Oriental Jews (Mizraḥim), making their sound much more progressive than typical doom/death bands. Their album Sahara (1994) was the first to include a combination of death metal and traditional oriental music. In their second album El Norra Alila (1996), Orphaned Land elaborated the combination of metal and oriental music, including the addition of song with traditional oriental Jewish piyyut and Arab melodies. This album conveyed a message of co-existence between Jews and Muslims. Their third album, Mabool (the Hebrew name for the Deluge, depicted in the Bible and Noah's story), 2004, was worked for seven years and takes the combination of doom/death metal, oriental music and biblical issues to a new level. The album tells the story of the seventh son of God (who was divided into three, each one symbolizing one monotheistic religion) which try to warn humanity from a coming flood (deluge) as punishment for their sins. Musically, the album contains oriental instruments, two choruses, traditional Yemenite chants sung by Shlomit Levi and quotes of Biblical verses from the story of the Deluge, read by Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's vocalist and one of its founders. The level of musical competency displayed in the heavy layering and orchestration combined with the more story-driven, conceptual nature of the album's lyrics as a whole lend a very strong progressive feel to the work.
Band Members:
Kobi Farhi − lead vocals, backing vocals, death growls, chants
Shlomit Levi - female vocals
Matan Shmuely - vocals, session drums
Matti Svatizky − rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Uri Zelcha − bass, fretless bass
Yatziv Caspi − drums, percussion
Idan Amsalem – guitars, bouzouki
Former Band Members:
Eran Asias − drums
Sami Bachar − drums
Avi Diamond − session drums
Itzik Levy − keyboards
Eden Rabin − keyboards, backing vocals
Yatziv Caspi - session drums
Avi Agababa - session drums
Yossi Sa'aron (Sassi) - guitars, oud, saz, bouzouki, chumbush, backing vocals
Take My Hand
Orphaned Land Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To untie these chains, I'll take you with me
In this tragic cave, deep are your sighs
Hear me out and heed now my cry
Your silent fears, they are all false, all lies
Wake up! Don't deny
None of these shadows are lights
The prophet in tears to them he plead
To a place where children play and smile
They sing, they fly, they rise
And pure is the air
Our souls we do bare
Where shades are dancing on the walls
We'll depart these ancient halls
I came for you all
Take my hand before you fall
Your silent fears, they are false and all lies
Wake up! Don't deny
None of these shadows are lights
Words to them are like water to dead flowers
How can I tell them about green fields
and blue skies when all they worship
are walls and stones?
Seven times they circle the idols they made
Nothing I say these walls can now break
Take my hand and together we will rise
To a place where children will not die
They live, they seek, they hide
And pure is the air
And gone is despair
Where shades are dancing on the walls
Will depart these ancient halls
"Take my Hand" by Orphaned Land is a song that primarily talks about hope in the midst of darkness. The song begins with the singer returning from a dark place to untie the chains of those trapped in a tragic cave. The lyrics try to assure those trapped that their silent fears are lies and encourages them to wake up and not deny the reality of their situation.
The singer then proceeds to talk about a place where children play, smiling and singing, and where the air is pure. This place represents hope, freedom, and joy. The prophet in tears pleads with the captives to take their hands and walk with them for miles to this place where their souls can be bare and the shades dance on the walls.
The song speaks to the power of light amidst darkness, and the hope for redemption. It encourages listeners to let go of fears and embrace the idea of walking hand in hand towards a brighter tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
From endless lights I come back to thee
I have returned to you from a long journey
To untie these chains, I'll take you with me
I will help you break free from whatever is holding you down
In this tragic cave, deep are your sighs
You are struggling and feeling deeply saddened in this difficult situation
Hear me out and heed now my cry
Listen to me and pay attention to what I am saying
Your silent fears, they are all false, all lies
Your fears are not real and you are lying to yourself about them
Wake up! Don't deny
Realize the truth and don't ignore it
None of these shadows are lights
The things that are scaring you are not actually helpful or positive
The prophet in tears to them he plead
The prophet was begging the people to listen to him and change their ways
Take my hand and let us walk for miles
Come with me and we will go far away
To a place where children play and smile
We will go to a happy, carefree place with children
They sing, they fly, they rise
The children are joyful and full of life
And pure is the air
The air is fresh and clean
Our souls we do bare
We will be open and honest with each other
Where shades are dancing on the walls
There is beautiful light and shadow play
We'll depart these ancient halls
We will leave behind our old troubles and pains
I came for you all
I am here for everyone who needs my help
Take my hand before you fall
Take my hand and don't let yourself slip into despair
Your silent fears, they are false and all lies
You are afraid of things that are not real and you are lying to yourself about them
Wake up! Don't deny
Realize the truth and don't ignore it
None of these shadows are lights
The things that are scaring you are not actually helpful or positive
Words to them are like water to dead flowers
They do not listen to good advice or helpful words
How can I tell them about green fields and blue skies when all they worship are walls and stones?
These people are too focused on material things and cannot see the beauty of the world
Seven times they circle the idols they made
They are obsessed with their own creations and cannot see the world beyond them
Nothing I say these walls can now break
I cannot convince them to change their ways
Take my hand and together we will rise
Come with me and we will overcome these struggles
To a place where children will not die
We will go to a world where there is no pain or death
They live, they seek, they hide
The children in this world are alive and curious
And pure is the air
The air is fresh and clean
And gone is despair
There is no more sadness or hopelessness
Where shades are dancing on the walls
There is beautiful light and shadow play
Will depart these ancient halls
We will leave behind our old troubles and pains
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Chen Balbus, Idan Amsalem, Kobi Farhi, Matan Shmuely, Uri Zelcha
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind