Dawn and the Darkest Hour
Rome Lyrics


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All men of great longing
Hide among men of great disgust
That's how we all start out
And that is how we tame the lust

Oh, my friend
How can I tell you
How well you've chose your end?

In beggar's cage, in hermit's cave
You hide in the wild hunter's dream
You've chose to die
In what little folly was left of me

Oh, let us not tire
Let's not pretend
For when it comes as a friend or as a fire
Death is not the end

Oh, my friend
How can I tell you
How well you've chose your end?

Oh, we know that you'll fall
If you don't stand up and fight
For everything that is right and beautiful
Is gonna be taken away by men led astray

Oh, my friend




How can I tell you
How well you've chose your end?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rome's song Dawn and the Darkest Hour tell the story of a man who has chosen a life of loneliness and solitude, hiding away from the world in a beggar's cage or a hermit's cave. This man seems to be struggling with a great lust or desire, which he believes he can only tame by isolating himself. The singer of the song acknowledges that this man has made a conscious decision to live this way, and he admires his friend's bravery in choosing such a path.


The chorus of the song speaks to the inevitability of death, and suggests that it may come either as a friend or as a fire. The singer reaffirms his admiration for his friend's choice in the face of this ultimate reality, and encourages him not to tire or pretend that his chosen path is easy. The final stanza of the song warns against the dangers of giving in to temptation and being led astray by other men, and suggests that the fight for what is right and beautiful is a worthy one.


Overall, Dawn and the Darkest Hour is a song that celebrates the courage of those who choose to live outside of society's norms and expectations, while acknowledging the difficulties and potential dangers of such a life.


Line by Line Meaning

All men of great longing
Those who desire great things in life


Hide among men of great disgust
They hide their ambitions amongst people who are repulsive to the world


That's how we all start out
This is how every great dream starts for us


And that is how we tame the lust
This is how we discipline ourselves when our passions are high


Oh, my friend
Addressing someone he is close to


How can I tell you
How can I express adequately


How well you've chose your end?
How intelligently you've resolved your fate


In beggar's cage, in hermit's cave
This person has chosen a life of solitude and reflection


You hide in the wild hunter's dream
A metaphor for a life of passion and adventure in solitude


You've chose to die
This person has made great sacrifices in life


In what little folly was left of me
This person has abandoned his foolish past and found enlightenment


Oh, let us not tire
Let us not waver


Let's not pretend
Let us not deceive ourselves


For when it comes as a friend or as a fire
Referring to death, natural or violent


Death is not the end
Death is only a transition to a new form of existence


Oh, we know that you'll fall
Referring to the person who chose a life of solitude and reflection


If you don't stand up and fight
If you don't rise to meet the challenges in life


For everything that is right and beautiful
For everything worth preserving in life


Is gonna be taken away by men led astray
Will be destroyed by people spinning out of control




Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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