Illusion
Uriah Heep Feat Trevor Bolder Lyrics

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In a forest known as heartbreak
In a clearing in the wood
'Cross a pathway called confusion
Toward the garden of delight

You'll reach the river of desire
And meekly try and cross it
While the valley of love

Keeps avoiding you
Because it's only an illusion
Only an illusion

Upon the hill of high ideals
You begin to wonder if it's real
You are reaching sleep's oasis
You begin to wonder how you feel

But it happens so quickly
It doesn't fit into your scenes
Tossin' and turnin'
The star of so many scenes

It's only an illusion
It's only an illusion

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Uriah Heep's song "Illusion" depict a journey through a forest of heartbreak and confusion, leading to a garden of delight. However, as the journey continues, it becomes clear that the valley of love is avoiding the traveler, and upon reaching the hill of high ideals, the reality of the situation starts to come into question. Soon, the traveler reaches an oasis, but the experience is too quick to fully comprehend, leaving them tossing and turning. In the end, it becomes clear that much of what was experienced was an illusion.

The lyrics explore the idea of perception versus reality, particularly in matters of the heart. The journey through the forest and towards the garden of delight represents the pursuit of love and happiness, but the reality of the situation becomes clouded by confusion and illusion. The traveler is left questioning what is real and what is not, unable to fully understand their experiences.

Overall, the lyrics of "Illusion" suggest that love and happiness may often be more complex and illusory than they first appear, and that navigating the path towards them can be fraught with confusion and false perceptions.

Line by Line Meaning

In a forest known as heartbreak
Entering into a place of great pain and sadness

In a clearing in the wood
Emerged into an open and bright space

'Cross a pathway called confusion
Traveling on a route with no clear direction

Toward the garden of delight
Heading towards a place of pleasure and joy

You'll reach the river of desire
Arriving at a point of intense longing

And meekly try and cross it
Attempting to cross the river with timidity and hesitation

While the valley of love
As the place of love

Keeps avoiding you
Seems to be evading one's grasp

Because it's only an illusion
Being a mere mirage that holds no reality

Upon the hill of high ideals
Climbing up to a point of lofty goals and aspirations

You begin to wonder if it's real
Becoming skeptical of the authenticity of one's expectations