Vocalist Mike Baker, only 45 years old, passed away on October 29, 2008 of a heart attack.
Several members of Shadow Gallery have made their contribution to other projects like MullMuzzler, Ayreon, Explorers Club and Star One.
All members of Shadow Gallery have fairly successful, busy lives outside the band (several are audio engineers).
The Dance of Fools
Shadow Gallery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That cast long shadows cross my eyes
Where traced out footsteps on the shores
Of the sea of sorrow
Reflect the changes in my life
Holding out in a darkened room
Long before the fall of rain shall come
For the last time that I was tempted to the dance of fools
Closer to me
I crawled away a loser
I never knew it meant so much to hold a place of power
Where only dreaming sets you free
I never thought that you could hold me so completely
You tore off my mask and I could see
All the people in the street
Double crossed by their own lives
Bring them to me
I want to take them to a new tomorrow of yesteryear
Call them to me
Let us live forever on
Tonight I shall cast a stone into the sea of sorrow
Its waves they crash beneath my feet
Sorrow binds you to a life not worth living
Unto that mortal life you cling
Stripped of all your earthly pride with the fools you dance
Tonight
Come unto me
Send with great speed this message all across the land
Listen to me
Let us live forever on
Listen to me
Tonight I turn my face
From the dance of fools
Closer to me
I live to carry on my way
In Shadow Gallery’s song “The Dance of Fools,” the singer starts by describing the weight of the world on his shoulders and how it casts a shadow across his eyes. He reflects on the changes in his life, as traced out by his footsteps on the shore of the “sea of sorrow.” The imagery of the sea of sorrow continues throughout the song, with the singer acknowledging the binding nature of sorrow and the mortal life it clings to.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about holding a place of power and how dreaming sets him free. He realizes that someone has held him completely, torn off his mask, and shown him a new perspective. He wants to bring people to a “new tomorrow of yesteryear” and for them to live forever on. He casts a stone into the sea of sorrow and turns his face from the dance of fools, living to carry on his way.
The song seems to be about feeling weighed down by the sorrows of the world and the fear of falling into the trap of the dance of fools, which could refer to the conformity and shallow joys of everyday life that don’t have true meaning. The singer wants to break free from those constraints, resist temptation, and bring others with him to a better place. He sees the potential for power in dreaming and is inspired to live on, even if weighed down by sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I've got a world on my shoulders
At times, I feel overwhelmed by the weight of my responsibilities
That cast long shadows cross my eyes
My burdens negatively affect my outlook on life
Where traced out footsteps on the shores
My past experiences have left a mark on me
Of the sea of sorrow
I have suffered through difficult times
Reflect the changes in my life
My struggles have contributed to my personal growth
Holding out in a darkened room
I isolate myself from the world
Long before the fall of rain shall come
Before things get worse
Listen to me
Pay attention to what I say
For the last time that I was tempted to the dance of fools
The last time I was misled by others
Closer to me
I am becoming more aware and in control of my life
I crawled away a loser
I was defeated in my previous struggle
I never knew it meant so much to hold a place of power
I was unaware of the importance of my position
Where only dreaming sets you free
My imagination is my only escape
I never thought that you could hold me so completely
I never expected to be controlled by someone else
You tore off my mask and I could see
You revealed my true self to me
All the people in the street
Everyone around me
Double crossed by their own lives
Betrayed by their own circumstances
Bring them to me
Let me help them
I want to take them to a new tomorrow of yesteryear
I want to take them to a better future that reminds them of a happier time
Call them to me
Invite them to join me on this journey
Let us live forever on
Let us continue to thrive and be happy
Tonight I shall cast a stone into the sea of sorrow
I will let go of my past pain
Its waves they crash beneath my feet
I am unaffected by it now
Sorrow binds you to a life not worth living
Being consumed by sadness will prevent you from living a fulfilling life
Unto that mortal life you cling
You hold on to your pain and refuse to move on
Stripped of all your earthly pride with the fools you dance
You have nothing to be proud of and are being misled by others
Tonight come unto me
Join me and let's move forward together
Send with great speed this message all across the land
Spread this message far and wide
Let us live forever on
Continue to thrive and be happy
Tonight I turn my face
I am ready to move on
From the dance of fools
From being misled
I live to carry on my way
I am determined to continue on my journey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARL CADDEN JAMES, CHRISTOPHER INGLES, WILLIAM ALLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hendriansufrika397
Sometimes I've got a world on my shoulders
that cast long shadows cross my eyes
where traced out footsteps on the shores
of the sea of sorrow
reflect the changes in my life
Holding out in a darkened room
long before the fall of rain shall come
listen to me
for the last time that I was tempted to the dance of fools
closer to me
I crawled away a loser
I never knew it meant so much to hold a place of power
where only dreaming sets you free
I never thought that you could hold me so completely
you tore off my mask and I could see
All the people in the street

double crossed by their own lives
bring them to me
I want to take them to a new tomorrow of yesteryear
call them to me
let us live forever on
Tonight I shall cast a stone into the sea of sorrow
Its waves they crash beneath my feet
sorrow binds you to a life not worth living
unto that mortal life you cling
Stripped of all your earthly pride with the fools you dance tonight
come unto me
send with great speed this message all across the land
listen to me
let us live forever on
Listen to me
tonight I turn my face away
from the dance of fools
closer to me
I live to carry on my way
@VoxBox2000
The vocal melody choices in this song are absolutely sublime
@jpalvarez4972
This song really helped me through a desperately bleak period in '05. I first listened to the track while walking the pier on a grey day, watching the waves crashing... it was a transcendent experience that I won't forget. RIP Mike Baker.
@silversoul910
I listened to this song for the first time when I was 14 years old. I was instantly hooked to the song and since it was the age of the walk man, I used to rewind the cassette and listen to this song 30-40 times a day. The day I lost the audio cassette was one of the saddest day in my life. I searched for the song a lot but never found it in any shop. So many years have passed and many things have changed since then but this song remains my favorite! A magical song!!! Thanks for uploading
@MemoryLaneCinema
LISTEN TO THIS VOICE. Totally unique. You gave and still give us much Mike.
@beckeromania
Baker's voice is out of this world. It's like an archangel singing....
@adi555j
whenever i feel down i come here and listen to this amazing song. Gives me strength. :)
@gustavogutierrez5482
Here's your Mexican fan of this great band. I've been listening to Shadow Gallery since 2016. Incredible songs, both music and lyrics!
@ThePepitothepew
This song always makes me speechless. I don't have words to say how wonderful and magical this masterpiece is.
@CrimsonThorns
I LOVE!! this song. Mike...you were such a beautiful soul. This song shines just as you did in our music world. Shadow Gallery forever.
@johnsmallshaw9401
Absolutely awesome!