The Time Telepathy Experiment MERLIN: This is the voice of Merlin. Listen well, for it concerns you. This chronicle commences in the year 2084 A.D. Mankind has virtually destroyed itself. Its survival depends on "The Final Experiment".
Scientists from the 21st century have developed a new computer-program called "Time Telepathy". By using this technique they have sent visions of humanies' decline back in time. These transmissions have been received by the mind of a blind minstrel, who lives in 6th century Britain. His name... is "Ayreon".
Overture [Instrumental]
Ayreon's Quest MERLIN: It shall be Ayreon's quest to sing of these visions and thus warn the world of its impending downfall in order to change its future into a long and prosperous one.
MERLIN: Let us go back... to... the Dark Ages... Dark Ages... Dark Ages... Dark Ages... Dark Ages...
AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS): A cry in the silence A shine in the dark Like a rising star The dream is coming
Images of violence A flight through time and space It's such a lonely place The dream has started
The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer And words become a song... In the dreamtime
I've lost control Marooned and cold I suffer the fears Of a future untold I cannot change The shape of things to come
The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer. And words become a song... In the dreamtime
WOMEN: The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer. The hands of time are whirling around I'm realizing The future's getting nearer And words become a song...
AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS): The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer. And words become a song...
AYREON: I cannot see with these eyes My world is dark Like a cold eternal night
I could not tell you no lies My words are lost In a shroud of mystery
VILLAGERS: Tell me what you see AYREON: I cannot tell you now I see the world through the eyes of time VILLAGERS: Tell me what you feel AYREON: I wouldn't know how I cannot free my mind >From the eyes of time
I do not know where I am I'm lost in time Drifting in eternity
I cannot tell if it's real Or fantasy Or a view of things to come
I'm still trying to understand Why do I see the things I see Could it be a future world That's warning us through me I'm still trying to understand Why do I know the things I know Does it mean I'm a god Will nobody tell me so?
VILLAGERS (ROBERT SOETERBOEK): Mmmm.... Have you seen his eyes, Up in the skies, Like hypnotized? And he never smiles, He never cries.
Have you heard his song, Fierce and strong, Right or wrong? Should he be condemned? For he doesn't belong.
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've aroused the forces of destruction!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've unleashed the rage of the gods!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've denounced the wonder of creation!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've betrayed your own, Now you have to pay!
It has been foretold, In days of old, An evil soul, Will corrupt the world, To achieve his goal.
He's the devil's seed! An evil breed, He's gonna make you bleed! He'll take all he needs, With uncontrollable greed!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've aroused the forces of destruction!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've unleashed the rage of the gods!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've denounced the wonder of creation!
AYREON: What have I done?
VILLAGERS: You've betrayed your own, Now you have to pay! You have to pay!
AYREON: I've done nothing at all! No, nothing at all! (Ohh I'm an innocent man!)
I've done nothing at all! No, nothing at all! (Let me go!)
I've done nothing at all! (What did I do?) No, nothing at all! (What did I do?)
I've done nothing at all! (Let me go!) No, nothing at all!
(Innocent man, at the end of the day... I'm an innocent man... All the time... You've got me wrong...You've got me... What did I do? What did I do?...)
AYREON (JAN-CHRIS DE KOEIJER): If I have died, then this must be hell! If I am alive, I cannot break this gruesome spell! I am seeking relief, and finding none! I have fallen into oblivion!
A force within dominates my tormented soul! And empowers me to regain absolute control! I shall not yield, for I am the chosen one! Who shall rise from... oblivion!
[AYREON:] noble men in shining armour knights of the table-round go out and ride like thunder cross the sky at the speed of
sound the horn, 'n blow the trumpets upon the castle wall now the quest has started listen to the prophet's call
sail away sail away to Avalon the journey has begun sail away through the night sail away, never die the gods are at your side sail away through the night
ride on the road to glory find the holy grail and learn the ancient story 's more than just a fairy-
tale about the key to life and all its mysteries you'll find the grail within you slay the dragon in your dreams
Echoes of a thousand screams, Smoke, blood and fire. A deserted battlefield, Millions of men will die, At one man's desire. And the docile mass will yield.
All through the ages, Men will die before their time, In an everlasting war! As long as man is taught, That war is not a crime, Man will fight for evermore!
Out of the ashes, A warlord will arise, And tyrannize the land! His reign of terror, Will cost many a sacrifice, An inferno is at hand!
All through the centuries, Men will be caged, In the name of liberty! As long as man shall live, Wars will be waged, Or will we ever be set free?
WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Oooohh... WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Pray god almighty! Set me free! Set me free! WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Set me free, oh lord! WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: I'm begging you, I'm begging thee, just to set me free! WOMEN: Ohhhh!
AYREON: The road to ruin Gets shorter all the time, As technology will improve. It takes but one man, To commit the ultimate crime, And make the final move!
All through the ages, Men will die before their time, In an everlasting war! As long as man shall live, Wars will be waged! Or will we ever, will we ever be set free?
WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Oooohh... WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Pray god almighty! Set me free! Set me free! WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: Set me, set me free, oh lord! WOMEN: Set me free! AYREON: I'm begging you, I'm begging thee, set me free! WOMEN: Ohhhh!
WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN (LEON GOEWIE): Don't you know who I am? WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN: I'll have you know that I can, Charm you with a wave of my hand! You bow to my command!
WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN: You're an evil stranger! WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN: You've become a danger! Your words are all but a lie! I vow that ye shall die!
KNIGHTS: It's Merlin's will, his will be done! The end has come for Ayreon! It's Merlin's will, and his will be done!
WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN: You're in my domain now! WOMEN: Ayreon! MERLIN: I renounce your name now! No one will know who you are! You'll fade out like a star!
KNIGHTS: It's Merlin's will, his will be done! The end has come for Ayreon! It's Merlin's will, and his will be done!
I've been lost in the valley of nightmares. I've been found in the garden of dreams. Speak thy charm, I know you are out there. Cast thy spell and silence their screams.
As I poise on the edge of life, Where time disappears, I bow in fear, To the charm of the Seer.
I've seen fear in valiant faces. I've seen hope in desperate eyes. Lead me home to familiar places. Lead me back to crystalline skies.
As I poise on the edge of life, Where time disappears, I bow in fear, To the charm of the Seer.
I have failed, I have been forsaken! I've been scorned and misunderstood! I have lost, my life has been taken! I'd surrender if only I could!
As I poise on the edge of life, Where time disappears, I bow in fear, To the charm of the Seer!
I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! (Ooooooohh....) I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer! Ooooooooooohh-hoh-hoh-hooo! Hoh-hoo! (I bow in fear to the charm of the Seer!) Ooooooohh....
AYREON (LEON GOEWIE): Misguided Merlin, You fail to understand, I could never be your rival. I was just a pawn, In a future masterplan, For the purpose of survival!
MERLIN (ROBERT SOETERBOEK): Ayreon! I've cast my spell upon you! I have no faith, you cannot be true!
WOMEN: Ayreon!
AYREON: I forgive you, Merlin, For you don't know what you've done, Even for you, it was all a mystery. One day you'll see, That I was the one, Who could change the course of history!
MERLIN: Ayreon! Your words are all in vain! Close your eyes, there'll be no more pain!
WOMEN: Oh Ayreon...
MERLIN: (ROBERT SOETERBOEK): Mmm! I see one day, His story will be told, At the end of the 20th century, ohhhh! (IAN PARRY): I see one day, The truth will unfold! (MIRJAM VAN DOORN): Ohhh! And the quest has now begun! Oh, Ayreon!
(JAY VAN FEGGELEN): I hope one day, That man will understand, It's in his power to change his destiny! (LEON GOEWIE): I hope one day, He'll do all that he can! (DEBBY SCHREUDER) Ohhh! And all the nations will be one! Oh Ayreon! Yeah!
WOMEN (SCHREUDER & VAN DOORN): Now the end has just begun! AYREON (EDWARD REEKERS): And words become a song! VILLAGERS (SCHREUDER & VAN DOORN): Tell me what you feel! AYREON (ARJEN LUCASSEN): The seas are red, the skies are grim... Listen to the waves...
MERLIN (EDWARD REEKERS): The outcome of 'The Final Experiment' has now been placed in your hands...
Forever of the Stars: Welcome! You have entered the cranial vistas of psychogenesis. This is the place of no-time and no-space. Do not be afraid for I am merely the vocal manifestation of your eternal dreams. I am as water, as air; like breath itself. Do not be afraid.
Look around, but linger not. Where I lead you will follow. Mark these words well. Ignite my anger with your delay and punishments will come your way.
You are eight souls of the flesh, chosen from different eras ancient and modern. The trivia of your mortal lives is unimportant to me... Indeed, some may die...
You have a task: To release yourselves from this Web of Wisdom, this knotted Maze of Delirium, you must enter the nuclear portals of the Electric Castle!
HIGHLANDER: What heathen place is this that I've arrived in? Is now the time I pay for all my sins? I can't believe that this is God's creation This realm was fashioned by the Devil's one hand
INDIAN: No, it has been foretold in our legends of old Wake the spirit within, let the journey begin!
HIGHLANDER: This quest you speak of, is for redemption How can we travel when our souls are lost? You think we find ourselves at gates of new salvation When I can only sense the end is here!
INDIAN: No, it has been foretold in our legends of old Wake the spirit within, let the journey begin!
KNIGHT: We're at the gates of Avalon! The island of spirits We're at the gates of Avalon! In search of the grail!
(B. The Hall Of Isis And Osiris)
ROMAN: There's no way out, slaves for eternity! Down in the underworld, the jaws of Orcus I call on Jupiter, ruler of the gods Show us the way, from damnation to salvation!
EGYPTIAN: The fields of Yaaru lie waiting for us all! Rejoice! The judges have ruled! We have been chosen to enter the great hall Of Isis and Osiris!
ROMAN: No, you're wrong! We're trapped here in darkness Among departed souls, and mislaid spirits I call on Mars, the ancient god of war Grant me the power, to free me from this evil!
EGYPTIAN: The fields of Yaaru lie waiting for us all! Rejoice! We have been chosen to enter the great hall Of Isis and Osiris!
(C. Strange Constellations)
HIGHLANDER: Can you see the stars? Can you recognize the constellations? If I could only see the hills that we're supposed to climb... Even the sunlight doesn't warm, doesn't warm... How are we gonna find our way? If we can't recognize the stars, and we can't recognize the constellations... Where do we go?
(D. Reprise)
HIGHLANDER: The quest you speak of, it isn't bound for glory. No grail exists within this heathen land. You think we find ourselves at gates of new salvation When I can only sense the end is near...
Forever of the Stars: There is danger ahead. But do not be afraid. For I am with you, like breath itself. Darkness will lead to light. Colour will bleed into the night. Beautiful colours, the like of which you have never seen. Let the dream of confusion lead you into the virgin light! Be gone! Be all seeing, be brave... Be gone!
(A. Amazing Flight In Space)
BARBARIAN: I'm looking 'round bewildered. Is this some dark and evil jest? What brought me to this cursed keep? Perchance some crazy quest? Gods forbid I am no coward! Pitted against a monster, man, or ghost I'd wield my blade with crimson gusto, For I am the proud barbarian host!
HIPPIE: Hey dude, you're so uncool! But hey, that's alright... Like, there's no need to get uptight. My eyes reflect the stars And a smile lights up my face We're on an amazing flight in space!
BARBARIAN: I shook city walls and towers! Wreaking havoc in the streets Burned palaces of cowardly kings Not a one stood up to me... fools. Bear bloody banners in blazing skies! Brandish battle axe and broadsword! Let drums of glory sound like thunder! Hail Barbaric Warlord!!
HIPPIE: Hey dude, you're so uncool! But hey, that's alright... Like, there's no need to get uptight. My eyes reflect the stars And a smile lights up my face We're on an amazing flight in space!
BARBARIAN: I load my black stallion With grim determination I found a kingdom Where I chose to settle down Righteous men would hang me But I've given hell to pay Cause nothing is as dangerous As a barbarian warlord
I trained some of the minstrel men I laid this place aspears For a barbarian warlord...
FUTUREMAN: From the cities on the seas To the skyways in the east From the stations on the moon To the planet of Neptune
I'm a sophisticated man And you would say I'd understand Is it a virtual design? Are we launched into a time beyond time? Space beyond space We are lost here in this cyber world... Is there no way out?
KNIGHT: I don't understand your words! They strike as hard as steel I'm sworn to the sacred quest On the isle of Avalon
To retrieve the magic chalice Which holds the power to heal Only the pure of heart Are received into the realm
ROMAN: Just look around you now and tell me what you see A world full of treachery Skies of silver and seas of gold The past is young and the future old We're closed in by iron gates! Beyond them Elysium waits Far away on the edge of the world in a time beyond time Space beyond space We are lost here in the underworld... Is there no way out?
FUTUREMAN: From the birthcry of our race To the mysteries of space I'm an educated man And you would say I'd understand...
KNIGHT: I don't understand your words! FUTUREMAN: (I'm a sophisticated man) KNIGHT: They strike as hard as steel. I'm sworn to the sacred quest FUTUREMAN: (And you would say I'd understand) KNIGHT: On the isle of Avalon
ROMAN: Just look around you now, and tell me what you see KNIGHT: (To retrieve the magic chalice) FUTUREMAN: (Is it a virtual design?) ROMAN: A world full of treachery KNIGHT: (Which holds the power to heal) ROMAN: Far away on the edge of the world in a... KNIGHT: Only the pure of heart are received into the realm FUTUREMAN: Are we launched into a...
ROMAN AND FUTUREMAN: Time beyond time, space beyond space
