The Count of Tuscany

Another great song by Dream Theater

 The Count of Tuscany

Several years ago

In a foreign town
Far away from home
I met the Count of Tuscany

A young eccentric man
Bred from royal blood
Took me for a ride
Across the open countryside

Get into my car
Let's go for a drive
Along the way I'll be your guide
Just step inside
Maybe you'll recall
I kind of felt curious
A character inspired by my brother's life

Winding through the hills
City far behind
On and on we go
Down narrow streets
And dusty roads

At last we came upon
A picturesque estate
On sprawling emerald fields
An ancient world
Of times gone by

Let me introduce my brother
I've been a gentleman
Historian
Sucking on his pipe
Distinguished accent
You're making me uptight
No accident

I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place
Just doesn't feel right

I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened
For my life

I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time
You see me alive

I may not survive
Knew it from the moment
We arrived

Would you like to see
A secret, holy place?
I come here late at night
To pray to him by candlelight

Then peering through the glass
I saw with disbelief
Still dressed in royal clothes
The saint behind the altar

History recalls
During times of war
Legend has been traced
That inside these castle walls

When soldiers came to hide
In barrels filled with wine

Never to escape

These tombs of old
Are where they died

Down the cellar stairs
I disappeared
Like the English heir
The end is near
Come and have a taste
A rare vintage
All the finest wines
Improve with age

I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place
Just doesn't feel right

I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened
For my life

I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time
You see me alive

I may not survive
Knew it from the moment
We arrived

---

Could this be the end?
Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone?
No one by my side

I don't understand
I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong?
I just don't understand

Give me one more chance
Let me please explain
It's all been circumstance
I'll tell you once again

You took me for a ride
Promising a vast adventure
Next thing that I know
I'm frightened for my life

Now wait a minute, then
That's not how it is
You must be confused
That isn't who I am

Please don't be afraid
I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live
Strange although it seems
Please try to forgive

The chapel and the saint
The soldiers in the wine
The fables and the tales
All handed down through time

Of course you're free to go
Go and tell the world my story
Tell them about my brother
Tell them about me
The Count of Tuscany

-Dream Theater-

- Black Clouds and Silver Linings-

note : sound mixing and recording was so great, spacious, great separation, clear cymbal