Shadowman
Tristania (Ashes - 2005) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nightmares, not dreams
Drag me through the dirt
There is no place to run, nor hide
He's in my blood
I try to keep him out
He rules the pain
The rotten words
He distracts my nerves
His claws
His poisoned laughter twists the knife
His long sharp teeth
Motionless silence
Sullen muttering
He holds the blame
He's in my veins
He holds the blame
I try to keep him out
He rules the pain inside
He makes up the ugly thoughts
The rotten words
He distracts my nerves
I've never seen his face
But I have felt his breath so many times
Soaked in sweat
Sleeping pills and cigarettes
But when the day
Chases the night awayâ?¦
The lyrics to Tristania's "Shadowman" are heavily focused on the internal struggle of someone haunted by a shadowy figure, the titular "Shadowman." The opening lines describe the singer's nightmares as dragging them through the dirt with no escape, highlighting the inescapable nature of the Shadowman's grip. The singer tries to keep him out of their blood, indicating a sense of ownership or responsibility for his presence, but ultimately he rules the pain and makes up the 'ugly thoughts' that plague them.
The lyrics take a more tangible turn in the second verse, highlighting the physical nature of the Shadowman's presence with his claws and sharp teeth, as well as the emotional impact of his 'poisoned laughter' and blame. Despite the internal turmoil he causes, the singer has never seen his face, a detail that makes the Shadowman even more sinister and unknowable. The use of sleeping pills and cigarettes suggests an attempt to cope with the Shadowman's influence, but the final lines leave some hope for the singer as the day begins to break through the night.
Overall, "Shadowman" portrays a haunting struggle with internal demons, represented by the shadowy figure of the titular character. The lyrics capture the frustration and pain felt by someone struggling to keep control of their mind and emotions in the face of overwhelming dark forces.
Line by Line Meaning
At night, asleep
When I am sleeping at night
Nightmares, not dreams
I experience nightmares instead of pleasant dreams
Drag me through the dirt
My nightmares are terrifying and make me feel helpless
There is no place to run, nor hide
My nightmares are inescapable
He's in my blood
The terror of my nightmares has become a part of me
I try to keep him out
I try to prevent the terror from taking over my thoughts
He rules the pain
The terror causes me deep emotional pain
He makes up the ugly thoughts
The terror creates unpleasant and disturbing thoughts in my mind
The rotten words
The terror causes me to think negative and harmful things
He distracts my nerves
The terror causes me to feel anxious and unsettled
His claws
The terror's hold on me is sharp and painful
His poisoned laughter twists the knife
The terror's cruel and mocking laughter worsens my suffering
His long sharp teeth
The terror's hold on me is threatening and dangerous
Motionless silence
I am paralyzed with fear when the terror strikes
Sullen muttering
The terror's voice is unpleasant and gloomy
He holds the blame
The terror is responsible for my misery
I've never seen his face
I do not know what the source of my terror looks like
But I have felt his breath so many times
I have experienced the terrifying presence of the source of my terror many times before
Soaked in sweat
I wake up sweating and afraid from my nightmares
Sleeping pills and cigarettes
I use these vices to try and cope with my fear and anxiety
But when the day
However, when the day comes
Chases the night awayâ?¦
My terror subsides and I can try to move on from its hold
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@altemirpeixoto493
At night, asleep
Nightmares, not dreams
Drag me through the dirt
There is no place to run, nor hide
He's in my blood
I try to keep him out
He rules the pain
He makes up the ugly thoughts
The rotten words
He distracts my nerves
His claws
His poisoned laughter twists the knife
His long sharp teeth
Motionless silence
Sullen muttering
He holds the blame
He's in my veins
He holds the blame
I try to keep him out
He rules the pain inside
He makes up the ugly thoughts
The rotten words
He distracts my nerves
I've never seen his face
But I have felt his breath so many times
Soaked in sweat
Sleeping pills and cigarettes
But when the day
Chases the night awayâ?¦
@keesh390
I feel bad for people who haven't heard this song or similar bands. Amazing and hauntingly beautiful music in a materialistic and cruel world.
@Visse90
I generally prefer Tristania's older albums, but this song has always been one of my favs. It's a masterpiece. Sadly, it hasn't been available on Spotify for a very, very long time. Such a shame.
@imaginary92
I just discovered it wasn't available on Spotify the other day as well, I was so disappointed! I love this album too, it's the only one I own in a physical copy.
@cybercroatoanband
que MUSICA meus amigos... QUE MUSICA ......
@kazenriq
BUT why isnt it on SPOTIFY!? FFS!!
Por que não está no SPOTIFY, pelo amor de Deus!?
@sachimcavalli
ia comentar a mesma coisa 🤣🤣🤣
@vanessacosta6640
Já entrei em contato com a banda pelo facebook, parece que são questões burocráticas e eles não podem resolver por enquanto...
@AZyzk
Gente, parem de buscar coisas boas no ispotchifái.
@k9angrypanda482
Falta muita coisa boa no spotify mesmo por isso nem uso
@kazenriq
@Vanessa Costa poha, muito bem. Foda isso...