Path to Exile
Proliferhate Lyrics
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Light in armor
But heavy in hope
Long's the way
Take my brief
To the harbour
Then back to me
Day after dayThe spring sun
Shone upon us
Smiles and blessings
Lit the way
Curious I was
Useless to stay
I couldn't keep my thirst at bay
Days grew old in endless years
The longer the road behind
The more alone my tears
Forward
Towards realms uncharted
Unveil the edge of my world
A fool I was
I should have stayed
But I couldn't keep
My thirst at bay
Decades have passed
I thought it a game
Now everyone at home forgot my name
No fanfare, no feast nor joust
To welcome the prince
The stars now oust
I sent the last
Seven they were
Now I spend my nightsAlone and bare
What news from home?
Father has gone
Son on the throne
My kingdom come
My only desire
You're nothing, sire
Too late I've known
My failure
Still, despite the years
My thirst remains unquenched
Now I wonder what lies ahead
Quick, ride ahead and announce my arrival
Everybody will know my name
Seven knights light in armor
But heavy in hope once again
Failing is choosing to stop
I'll never do that again, I swear
I will be the new king of this new land
And leave everything else
Behind
The lyrics of "Path To Exile" by Proliferhate recount the journey of a knight, not only reflecting on his past but also exploring themes of ambition, loss, and the relentless quest for purpose. The imagery of “seven knights” evokes a sense of camaraderie and noble aspirations, yet the weight of hope implies that their journey is laden with challenges. The knights symbolize a pursuit of something greater, with their initial vigor highlighted by the “spring sun” that bestows blessings and illuminates their path. Yet, it quickly becomes apparent that this hope is coupled with a sense of longing, as they face obstacles that test their dedication—“long's the way.” As the singer conveys his personal thirst for something more, a sense of restlessness pervades, underscoring the inability to remain content or static in the face of ambition.
As the narrative unfolds, the passage of time becomes significant, transforming the once bright days into monotonous years. The lyrics reveal a duality in the singer’s perspective; while the past is filled with hopeful memories, the realization that “days grew old in endless years” introduces a melancholic tone. The imagery of isolation surfaces as the knight reflects on his journey, suggesting that the path to greatness may lead to solitude—“the more alone my tears.” Despite well-placed determination to “forge forward,” there’s an inherent acknowledgment that the pursuit often comes at the cost of personal relationships and identity, as highlighted by the chorus of forgotten names and the absence of celebration upon his return home.
The narrative takes a poignant turn as the singer grapples with the consequences of his choices, with an underlying tension between aspiration and regret. “Decades have passed” not only underscores the relentless passage of time but also marks a shift from youthful ambition to introspective disillusionment. The starkness of being unrecognized upon his return—“no fanfare, no feast nor joust”—hints at the transformative nature of time and the inevitable alienation that accompanies change. The poignant acknowledgment of family loss—“father has gone, son on the throne”—casts a shadow on the singer’s journey, depicting a personal cost to his ambitions. Home, once a source of strength, now feels distant and unfamiliar, leaving him with an intense feeling of failure and yearning, questioning the true nature of his relentless quest.
Yet amid this despair, hope is rekindled as the knight resolves to reclaim his purpose in uncharted lands. The repeated affirmation of his “thirst” suggests an unyielding determination to transcend the personal failures he’s faced and reshape his destiny. The declaration of intention to become a “new king” reflects a transformative mindset; he vows to make his mark and avoid the stagnation that a life of exile implies. In leaving everything behind, he dreams of reestablishing himself in a new realm, signifying both a physical and emotional departure from his past. The song culminates with the imagery of knights—once heavy with hope—reigniting their purpose, illustrating a cycle where hope, ambition, and the quest for recognition continue to thrive even in the wake of profound personal loss. In the end, the singer’s unwavering thirst symbolizes the complex interplay of aspiration, resilience, and the human condition itself—forever seeking, never fully quenched.
Line by Line Meaning
Seven knights
A band of brave warriors stands together, ready to embark on a journey filled with purpose.
Light in armor
They wear bright, shining armor, symbolizing their nobility and dedication.
But heavy in hope
Despite their outward strength, each knight carries the weight of their dreams and aspirations.
Long's the way
The path ahead is fraught with challenges and is expected to be lengthy.
Take my brief
I ask you to take my message, my mission, or my plea with you.
To the harbour
Deliver this word to a place of safety and awaiting hope, perhaps a new beginning.
Then back to me
Return to me with news or progress, reaffirming our connection.
Day after day
Time continues to pass as I wait, filled with anticipation.
The spring sun
Renewal and warmth from nature signals hope and the potential of new beginnings.
Shone upon us
This light offers guidance, illuminating our path together.
Smiles and blessings
Joy and goodwill surround us, reinforcing our bond during our quest.
Lit the way
These positive feelings serve as guidance, making our way clearer.
Curious I was
I felt an insatiable desire for knowledge and discovery.
Useless to stay
Remaining stagnant seemed pointless; progress was necessary for growth.
I couldn't keep my thirst at bay
My longing for adventure and fulfillment became overpowering.
Days grew old in endless years
Time felt stagnant, dragging on in a monotonous cycle.
The longer the road behind
Reflecting on my past journey reveals its vastness and depth.
The more alone my tears
As time passes, sadness and despair deepen in isolation without companionship.
Forward
I am determined to press on towards the future.
Towards realms uncharted
Venturing into unknown territories holds both danger and promise.
Unveil the edge of my world
I seek to discover the limits of my existence and potential.
A fool I was
I realize now that my previous choices may have lacked wisdom.
I should have stayed
In hindsight, staying would have been the safer, wiser choice.
But I couldn't keep
Despite reasoning, my desires drove me onward.
My thirst at bay
I was unable to suppress my longing for adventure and purpose.
Decades have passed
A significant amount of time has elapsed, emphasizing the weight of my experiences.
I thought it a game
Initially, I treated my journey as a trivial matter, without understanding its seriousness.
Now everyone at home forgot my name
Time and distance have erased my identity from the memories of those I once knew.
No fanfare, no feast nor joust
There are no celebrations or honors awaiting me; my return is unnoticed.
To welcome the prince
There is no acknowledgment of my royal status as I expected upon my return.
The stars now oust
Celestial symbols of hope and destiny are no longer on my side.
I sent the last
I dispatched my final message or trusted companions.
Seven they were
There were seven, representing unity and camaraderie that are now lost.
Now I spend my nights
I find myself in solitude during the long hours of darkness.
Alone and bare
Vulnerable and isolated, stripped of support and warmth.
What news from home?
I yearn for updates about my once-familiar life and loved ones.
Father has gone
The absence of my father signifies loss and change in my family structure.
Son on the throne
A new generation now leads, indicating a shift in power and legacy.
My kingdom come
The dreams of my realm and rule are an unfulfilled wish.
My only desire
This longing is the singular focus of my heart and mind.
You're nothing, sire
I face the harsh truth that my identity and status have diminished.
Too late I've known
Realizations about my failures have come too late for redemption.
My failure
The weight of my missed opportunities and mistakes burdens me.
Still, despite the years
Time has passed, yet my core desires remain unchanged.
My thirst remains unquenched
I continue to lack fulfillment; my yearning persists relentlessly.
Now I wonder what lies ahead
With uncertainty looming, I contemplate the possibilities of my future.
Quick, ride ahead and announce my arrival
I urge for recognition, hoping my return will be acknowledged.
Everybody will know my name
I desire to reclaim my legacy and be remembered once again.
Seven knights light in armor
Once again, a valiant group stands ready, embodying hope and courage.
But heavy in hope once again
They are fueled by renewed aspirations, suggesting resilience despite past struggles.
Failing is choosing to stop
To give up is to accept defeat, a choice I am unwilling to make.
I'll never do that again, I swear
I vow to persist and learn from past mistakes, refusing to yield.
I will be the new king of this new land
Ambition drives me to seize control and reshape my destiny in unfamiliar territory.
And leave everything else behind
I am prepared to abandon my old life for newfound opportunities and growth.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Andrea Simioni
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind