Ivory Tower
PTI Lyrics


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In the midst of the winter months bleeding for the cutting edge caught between a maze within a cage.
What can I do what can I be? Take away my dreams and I cannot see.
Desperate times without means falls apart into routine.
Dancing to the laugh track laughing to the dance track.
Play the part of the sad clown. Climb on up to get down.
Deal with this nightmare 9 – 5 like a prisoner locked down on the inside.
With a little space and a little time, I might find piece of mind.
A glimpse of hope caught my eye, just enough to save my sight.
Now please take me back inside.

Sleep in a tinderbox, cross paths with a matchstick all the bullshit bursts into flame.
Without the luxuries of apathy welcome a life of absurdity. Forget the rules. Fuck the game.
If only the world could do the same.





My ivory tower from here a world away from my castle in the sky a fresh new day.
My ivory tower from here you seem so small from my castle in the sky been through it all.

Overall Meaning

The song "Ivory Tower" by progressive rock band Protest the Hero addresses society's pressure to conform and the struggle to find individuality and meaning in a world that often feels like a cage. The lyrics paint a picture of someone caught in the monotony of everyday life, with their dreams and passions stripped away, feeling trapped in a cycle of routine. They feel like a prisoner, forced to endure the nightmare of work life, and yearn for some peace of mind.


But then, "a glimpse of hope" appears, saving them from the despair that had consumed them. They long to return to their "ivory tower," a metaphorical place in their mind where they feel safe and free. The song suggests that society is a "tinderbox," ready to ignite with just a small spark, and portrays the singer as someone who refuses to live a life of apathy and conformity.


The lyrics are a critique of society's expectations and the pressure to conform, encouraging individuality and rejecting the status quo. The themes of the song highlight the dangers of stagnancy and encourage listeners to seek out their passions and aspirations, just like the singer in the song. Protest the Hero's "Ivory Tower" inspires and empowers listeners to break free from the cages of society and embrace their true identities.


Line by Line Meaning

In the midst of the winter months bleeding for the cutting edge caught between a maze within a cage.
During the harsh winter season, feeling torn between the desire to be unique and standing out, while being trapped in a confusing and restrictive environment.


What can I do what can I be? Take away my dreams and I cannot see.
Wondering about the purpose and identity without dreams, which are the driving force for seeing a clear vision of life.


Desperate times without means falls apart into routine.
Difficult times without resources leads to a mundane daily routine as a coping mechanism.


Dancing to the laugh track laughing to the dance track.
Living life like it's just a show without true emotion, following what others do to get their approval.


Play the part of the sad clown. Climb on up to get down.
Pretending to be happy while feeling miserable, and doing everything possible to improve the situation.


Deal with this nightmare 9 – 5 like a prisoner locked down on the inside.
Working a job that feels like a nightmare - it keeps one trapped in a situation that has no escape.


With a little space and a little time, I might find piece of mind.
Given some distance from the struggles and time for introspection, a sense of peace and clarity can arise.


A glimpse of hope caught my eye, just enough to save my sight.
Seeing a small bit of hope, enough to keep hope in view and prevent despair.


Now please take me back inside.
Seeking to return to the place where hope resides, despite the struggles outside.


Sleep in a tinderbox, cross paths with a matchstick all the bullshit bursts into flame.
Living in fragile peace and any event that disrupts or ignites a point of contention can quickly escalate into chaos.


Without the luxuries of apathy welcome a life of absurdity. Forget the rules. Fuck the game.
Being free of indifference and accepting a life with its inherently absurd nature, forgetting the constraints of rules or societal expectations.


If only the world could do the same.
Wishing that the world at large would also reject societal constraints and embrace absurdity.


My ivory tower from here a world away from my castle in the sky a fresh new day.
Perceiving two different facets of oneself: one being grounded in reality and another being hopeful, aspiring, and invigorated.


My ivory tower from here you seem so small from my castle in the sky been through it all.
Viewing the struggle and turmoil that one has been through, casting a small, secondary viewpoint to prior hopes and aspirations.




Contributed by Kaelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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