The Spell
The Violet Hour Lyrics


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I went outside today
Left behind the room that was my life
Look at the sky
The sun just laughs and winks at you
Enter the violet woods
Feeling that you have some company
A caterpillar tree's
Wings fold your beating heart
Don't break the spell
Don't ask me when
Or you will never speak again
Open the doors
Inside your mind
Don't be afraid of what you find
Under your bed it is the little people
Who put the fears inside your head
The things you said will be forgotten
As the earth goes turning round inside your head
It spins around, around...
Past the point of no return
You come across a creature being born
A unicorn
You watch it struggle to it's feet
And as you wander free
You step down through the valley to the sea
You're who you want to be
You hear the mermaids call your name
It's hard to breathe
You spiral down
And think that you must savely down
Shake off the dream
Shake off the spell
Or else this tale you'll never tell
Under your bed it is the little people
Who put the fears inside your head
The things you said will be forgotten
As the earth goes turning round inside your head
It spins around, around...
Don't break the spell
Don't ask me when
Or you will never speak again
Open the doors
Inside your mind
Don't be afraid of wha
It's hard to breathe
You spiral down
And think that you must savely down
Shake off the dream
Shake off the spell
Or else this tale you'll never tell
Under your bed it is the little people
Who put the fears inside your head
The things you said will be forgotten




As the earth goes turning round inside your head
It spins around, around...

Overall Meaning

The Violet Hour's song "The Spell" is a journey of self-discovery through a mystical forest filled with creatures and magical occurrences. The singer steps outside of their room, possibly their comfort zone or current reality, and looks up at the sky only to find the sun laughing and winking at them. They then enter the violet woods, feeling as though they have some company as they come across the caterpillar tree. The tree's wings fold the singer's beating heart, giving them a sense of calm and protection.


As they continue on their journey, the singer warns against breaking the spell or asking when it will end, or else they will never speak again. They encourage the listener to open the doors within their mind and not be afraid of what they find. The little people under the bed are blamed for the fears inside one's head, and it's suggested that the things one says will be forgotten as the earth goes turning round inside one's head, spinning around and around.


The song culminates in the discovery of a unicorn struggling to its feet and the singer becoming who they want to be as they hear the mermaids calling their name. The journey ends with a warning to shake off the dream and break the spell, or else the tale will never be told. Overall, "The Spell" is a whimsical adventure through a mystical forest that encourages self-discovery and embracing the unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

I went outside today
I ventured out of my comfortable abode


Left behind the room that was my life
I temporarily put aside my mundane existence


Look at the sky
Observe the blue expanse above


The sun just laughs and winks at you
The star appears to be gleefully acknowledging you


Enter the violet woods
Proceed into the mysterious purple forest


Feeling that you have some company
Sensing that you are not alone


A caterpillar tree's
A tree where insects metamorphose


Wings fold your beating heart
Your emotions are aroused


Don't break the spell
Do not disrupt the enchantment


Don't ask me when
Do not inquire about timing


Or you will never speak again
Else you will be unable to recount this experience


Open the doors
Unlock the barriers that prevent your mind from expanding


Inside your mind
Within your own thoughts


Don't be afraid of what you find
Do not be fearful of your discoveries


Under your bed it is the little people
Tiny creatures under the bed responsible for causing anxiety


Who put the fears inside your head
The ones responsible for instilling worries in your mind


The things you said will be forgotten
Your declarations will not be remembered


As the earth goes turning round inside your head
As thoughts constantly rotate in your mind


It spins around, around...
A never-ending cycle


Past the point of no return
Moved beyond the point of reversal


You come across a creature being born
An encounter with an emerging entity


A unicorn
A mystical horse with a single horn


You watch it struggle to it's feet
You witness its difficult efforts to stand


And as you wander free
While you roam without constraint


You step down through the valley to the sea
You descend to the ocean from the valley


You're who you want to be
You have become the person you desire


You hear the mermaids call your name
You perceive the sirens summoning you


It's hard to breathe
It is a struggle to inhale air


You spiral down
You twirl downwards


And think that you must savely down
Pondering that you must land safely


Shake off the dream
Cast away the vision


Shake off the spell
Dispel the magic


Or else this tale you'll never tell
Else you will be unable to recount this story


Don't break the spell
Do not disrupt the enchantment


Don't ask me when
Do not inquire about timing


Or you will never speak again
Else you will be unable to recall this experience


Open the doors
Unlock the barriers that prevent your mind from expanding


Inside your mind
Within your own thoughts


Don't be afraid of wha
Do not be fearful of your discoveries


It's hard to breathe
It is a struggle to inhale air


You spiral down
You twirl downwards


And think that you must savely down
Pondering that you must land safely


Shake off the dream
Cast away the vision


Shake off the spell
Dispel the magic


Or else this tale you'll never tell
Else you will be unable to recount this story


Under your bed it is the little people
Tiny creatures under the bed responsible for causing anxiety


Who put the fears inside your head
The ones responsible for instilling worries in your mind


The things you said will be forgotten
Your declarations will not be remembered


As the earth goes turning round inside your head
As thoughts constantly rotate in your mind


It spins around, around...
A never-ending cycle




Contributed by Bentley H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Mike D

I saw this band support marillion about 30 years ago. I still listen to this terrific album.

Mirjam Purmerend

So did I, in Rotterdam. Their music struck me, so I bought the album after the concert. Never regretted it, still enjoy listening.

Azahar Official Channel

Like Mike D, I was lucky enough to see these guys support Marillion. Saw them at the Hammersmith Odeon. Bought the cd, great stuff!

David Harris

@Tony Waeland Unfortunately me and a mate got to the Bradford gig too late for VH, despite being on their guest list. Holidays In Eden tour, if I recall.

And my copy of the Fire Sermon got nicked when me and my housemate/landlord were burgled in '99, never found it again

Tony Waeland

Same here and still play it constantly.

hagst27

J'ai acheté au V.Megastore de Paris ce CD (The Fire Sermon) juste après avoir écouté quelques mesures, et j'en reste enthousiaste. Incroyable, invraisemblable que The Violet Hour ne soit pas devenu des stars planétaires. C'est d'une injustice cosmique. Doris Brendel est un génie.

Pam Rice

thank you kid for the good times. love you Pammie. and all good mus&keech people like u. & remember next time I'm like next time lol& stoney larue

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