the emptiness story

The Alesana album "The Emptiness" is based around a poem called Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe. Some people believe the poem was inspired by Poe's wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe, but neither the poem or the song are actually based on a true story.

1. Curse of the virgin canvas

(I am here to tell you a story.

A story that will torture your thoughts by day and poison your dreams by night.

And though I will do my best, there are no words

that can be written nor brush strokes laid on canvas

that can describe the stark and utter horror of the night that Annabel died.

The emptiness will haunt you.)

This is a nightmare, is my Annabel really gone?

My eyes are stung by daylight, I find it hard to breathe.

Her body teases me as the sun reveals the dawn.

The smell of blood still crawls, I kiss you softly goodbye.

Baby, lay in my arms and cuddle me close.

Soon this will be just an awful memory...

Will I ever be able to sleep again?

My angel lie to me and tell me I'm dreaming.

(please wake me up, please wake me).

I feel like you will always be such a tragic part of me.

(oh ecstasy you torture me).

I watch the blood drip from the corners of your mouth.

Your icy flesh is lying, your pallid skin still glows.

I'm starting to believe what my eyes are seeing now.

You're still so beautiful and yet so morbidly still.

Baby, lay in my arms and cuddle me close.

Soon this will be just an awful memory...

Will I ever be able to sleep again?

My angel lie to me and tell me I'm dreaming.

(please wake me up, please wake me).

I feel like you will always be such a tragic part of me.

(oh ecstasy you torture me).

Sweet revenge... He will pay, he will pay my dear.

Empty eyes accuse a face so evil, I'm coming undone.

The mirror says it all, a crimson story of innocence lost.

Empty eyes accuse a face so evil, I'm coming undone.

What have I done to her?

So terribly memory returns of her struggle, of her screams, of her.

Lord forgive me!

My stomach heaves as I see the blood that covers me.

Blood that was once hers.

I'm a monster!

... Such an awful memory... Will I ever be able to sleep again?

My angel lie to me and tell me I'm dreaming.

(please wake me up, please wake me).

I feel like you will always be such a tragic part of me.

(oh ecstasy you torture me).

Sweet revenge... He will pay, he will pay my dear.

(A mirror never lies.

They know.

Everybody knows.

Do you not see what they see?

A mirror never lies.

I see what they see. Everybody knows. Everybody knows.)

2. The Artist

What is wrong with her eyes?

A glossy stare that won't leave me be starts my blood running cold.

A gaze that could make hell freeze over...

I have to understand she's gone...

But she's not!

Don't you tell me that she is dead!

Watch her lips softly move because she's still whispering to me!

...And something here is not quite right...

Skin so cold beneath my touch as I brush back her hair and close her eyes.

But I cannot stand to turn away.

When I do, she'll be gone...

It's frightening...

Sweaty hands will fail to lock the door...

They'll be here soon.

I wish I could keep my teeth from grinding.

I wish I'd stop looking behind me.

Running now will only make it worse...

They'll be here soon.

I wish I could shake the awful feeling.

I wish my mind would stop...

Maybe I am crazy and my mind is trying to deceive me.

As the ground vanishes I wonder will the sky be the next to fail me?

Paint abandons canvas.

And my brush can't seem to start again from scratch.

As I watch everything unravel, why should I even try to stop the collapse?

I won't...

Shaking as I rest her body down.

No one knows, only me...

It's frightening...

Sweaty hands will fail to lock the door...

They'll be here soon.

I wish I could keep my teeth from grinding.

I wish I'd stop looking behind me.

Running now will only make it worse...

They'll be here soon.

I wish I could shake the awful feeling.

I wish my mind would stop...

Maybe I am crazy and my mind is trying to deceive me.

As the ground vanishes I wonder will the sky be the next to fail me?

Paint abandons canvas.

And my brush can't seem to start again from scratch.

As I watch everything unravel, why should I even try to stop the collapse?

Why should I even try to stop the collapse? Why should I even try?

There's a madman glaring straight at me!

Oh I know I've seen his face before...

I am sure I've seen his face before...

Maybe I am crazy and my mind is trying to deceive me.

As the ground vanishes I wonder will the sky be the next to fail me?

Paint abandons canvas.

And my brush can't seem to start again from scratch.

As I watch everything unravel, why should I even try to stop the collapse?

I won't...

3. Lunatic’s lament

If only you could see

If only you could see

You’re the only girl I’ve ever dreamed of

If only you could see

If only you could see...

Should I apologize to such pathetic eyes

Just the sight of you has made me sick tonight (tonight)

It was your poison kiss that turned me into this

Then again there is a chance you could be right

Darling will you please take a walk with me?

We can count the stars that disappear...(I wish you could see)

I wish you could see, you’re the only girl I’ve ever dreamed of

Are you satisfied?

(Are you satisfied?)

(Are you satisfied?)

What fate has led me here... Oh please forgive me dear

I don’t know if I could survive on my own (my own)

I could have married you instead I buried you

Now I we’ll see if I can fall asleep alone (alone)

Darling will you please take a walk with me?

We can count the stars that disappear...(I wish you could see)

I wish you could see, you’re the only girl I’ve ever dreamed of

Are you satisfied?

(Are you satisfied?)

The nightmares coming true

(Are you satisfied?)

It was all for you

(Are you satisfied?)

I did it all for you

(Are you satisfied?)

I wish you could see, you’re the only girl I’ve ever dreamed of

Darling will you please take a walk with me?

We can count the stars that disappear...(I wish you could see)

I wish you could see, you’re the only girl I’ve ever dreamed of

Are you satisfied?

Are you satisfied?

[Spoken:]

The depths of a mans soul can not be measured in a manor of meters

and fathoms; but rather, it is in my opinion, only quantified by his

proximity to haven and hell. It was in such a state I ushered myself

passed the town tavern, bursting at the seams with the sounds laughter

and drunken piano playing. Had it only been a different night, a

different place, a different kind of man passing by the threshold

of that innocent pub, the events that transpired at that point

would have undoubtedly been drastically different. I can only guess if

anyone outside that place had a clue when those exclamations of mirth became the

desperate screams of the helpless begging for their very lives

4. The murderer

It is about time?

Oh yes it is, it really is!

Let's get this party started!

My hands are shaking...

Just take a drink, steady your nerves.

Let's get this party started!

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to die?

Cause lately it seems I'm going insane!

Please don't get up!

Oh no, you're fine right there!

Just don't mind me as I take you all in!

So drink 'em up, oh yes just slam 'em down!

Have one on me as I lock you all in!

My sweet little sheep your wolf has come...

You should know I'm dangerous.

My thirst for blood turns me on...

How sweet...

Is this what we pictured the night that we said, "you're the one"?

I'm going crazy without you.

It's hard to believe but I'm having fun.

Annabel, look what you've started!

The knife slides down to the tip of my tongue.

I'm finding pleasure in watching you writhe.

I lean in just to lick the sweat off your face.

I taste the reverence dripping down my throat.

You should know I'm dangerous.

My thirst for blood turns me on...

How sweet...

Is this what we pictured the night that we said, "you're the one"?

I'm going crazy without you.

It's hard to believe but I'm having fun.

Annabel, look what you've started!

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to run?

I've been waiting patiently for this...

Are you ready to die?

There is definitely something wrong!

Will they scream?

Will they cry?

Will they beg as they die or have to accept that this is the end?

Are you ready to die? Are you ready to die? Are you ready to die?

Are you ready to die?!

I'm so glad that all of you came!

Looking in I see a lonely man etching tallies into the bar.

Looking on I see a desperate man repeating something on the floor.

Oh how blood turns me on...

So sweet...

Is this what we pictured the night that we said, "you're the one"?

I'm going crazy without you.

It's hard to believe but I'm having fun.

Annabel, look what you've started!

5. Hymn For the shameless

Saw your eyes today in a memory painted in the sky.

You smiled and said to me, "a love like this can never truly die."

So now the show's over and I've got to disguise the thing I've become.

I only wish I could stop laughing!

I grin because the joke is on them this time!

They don't have a clue.

Calm consumes me.

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

I shut my eyes and once again the pleasure strangles me.

I taste the tears of sweet indulgence, pain and fantasy.

Oh, the visions inside my head...

The emptiness will haunt you...

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

Sanity is slowly slipping from my hands now.

I'm standing closer to the edge than I should be allowed.

Oh, what little regret I have...

Does that make me a killer?

I am the face of death standing right behind you.

Yet you're oblivious to my cold breath on your neck.

Is it just too easy?

Am I just too good at this?

I am the chosen one.

I am the end of all and now you are mine!

Calm consumes me.

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

I shut my eyes and once again the pleasure strangles me.

I taste the tears of sweet indulgence, pain and fantasy.

Oh, the visions inside my head...

The emptiness will haunt you...

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

Sanity is slowly slipping from my hands now.

I'm standing closer to the edge than I should be allowed.

Oh, what little regret I have...

Does that make me a killer?

Saw your eyes today in a memory painted in the sky.

You smiled and said to me, "a love like this can never truly die."

Let's just say you're right and the nightmare ends, we wake up side by side.

What makes you think that I would let you live?

I've really lost my mind...

Behold, for I am the will of the reaper!

Beg for the mercy of your worthless angels!

As relief washes over me, calm consumes me.

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

I shut my eyes and once again the pleasure strangles me.

I taste the tears of sweet indulgence, pain and fantasy.

Oh, the visions inside my head...

The emptiness will haunt you...

(I immerse myself in sick reflection...)

Sanity is slowly slipping from my hands now.

I'm standing closer to the edge than I should be allowed.

Oh, what little regret I have...

Does that make me a killer?

[x3] [fades out]

6. The Thespian

(Baby) why are you doing this to me

(Sweetheart) Are those your eyes staring straight back at me

(Angel) I see your smile everywhere

(Darling, stop)

Night falls and I'm running in circles

I'm being chased by my imagination

Tell me I'm forgiven say you'll always be mine

Say that everything is over, tell me I'm fine

No one deserves to live like this! 2x

I touch your lips and stare in your eyes

You smile and it makes me fly

You are the reason my heart beats

Tonight it's just you and me

Night as dark as my thoughts sets the scene for my return

Lightning nips at my heels as I race home

Wearily I stagger towards the song of her pale voice

Demons jeer my attempt to be free

Tell me I'm forgiven say you'll always be mine

Say that everything is over, tell me I'm fine

No one deserves to live like this 2x

I touch your lips and stare in your eyes

You smile and it makes me fly

You are the reason my heart beats

Tonight its just you and me

Windows cast her gentle reflection

Her somber silhouette dances for me

Dear God, it's her

Look at you, you miserable fool

Get off your knees, your prayers fall upon deaf ears

Gods turned his back on you, heavens gates are shut

And now you're knocking on the devils door

Ive been expecting you for some time, sir

Allow me to introduce myself

I'm the one who pulls on all the strings, son

You're lucky I don't kill you where you stand

Tonight I raise my glass for I know its time to move on

(this can't be real. there's nothing left)

My patience will not last, tomorrow I will be gone

(all hope has failed. Ive lost my soul)

7. Heavy hangs the albatross

I've made up my mind and I will be leaving.

Leaving this cruel, dark world

for the soulless to share.

But first...

Women will shriek and watch their husbands bleed.

Children will cry (children will cry)

and watch their mothers die.

Because tonight (because tonight)

Tonight we all go to hell!

Why?

I have to let go of what happened to my love.

I am taking out on everyone else

all the problems I've brought on myself.

When I made your heart melt.

My belle, we soon will meet again.

There's nothing left for me to lose

Except confusion.

I'm finished trying to tell myself this will go away.

There's no one left to talk me down.

My feet are slipping...

One day oh I hope my name doesn't bring back memories.

Of the day that I left her.

Goodbye, so long.

My heart belongs to the one I am chasing after.

For better, or even for worse,

Remember me forever...

Now the only question left is how

to take you all down with me.

The coroner will have his hands full tonight.

That is if he is not among the dead.

Dead will choke the streets with such vulgarity that grown men will weep.

And then you will find the end is drawing night.

There's nothing left for me to lose

Except confusion.

I'm finished trying to tell myself this will go away.

There's no one left to talk me down.

My feet are slipping...

One day oh I hope my name doesn't bring back memories.

Of the day that I left her.

Goodbye, so long.

My heart belongs to the one I am chasing after.

For better, or even for worse,

Remember me...

The dizziness stuns me,

Would someone please distract me?

Can I really get through this?

Can I really betray myself?

For better, for worse, remember forever

(There's sweat on my hands and a knife at my throat.)

The dizziness stuns me,

Would someone please distract me?

(And as the blade bites my skin Annabel appears...)

Can I really get through this?

Can I really betray myself?

For better, for worse, remember forever

(For better, or for worse, remember me forever)

One day oh I hope my name doesn't bring back memories.

Of the day that I left her.

Goodbye, so long.

My heart belongs to the one I am chasing after.

For better, or even for worse,

Remember me forever

8. The lover

Is it her, could it be,

should my eyes believe

what they see

If you are who I think you are

I might lose my mind

Just a kiss, from her lips

and I would simply float away.

The way her hips

swing back and forth

I've got butterflies

Dead girls don't just appear

out of thin air

But I am victim

to her sinister stare.

Please don't hate me for

what I've done

Run away with me,

I'll be everything that you need

Such a pretty girl screams to me,

Take my hand, take my breath away

What if my heart breaks again?

take my breath away

Just the scent of her skin

Unlocks forbidden memories

The slightest graze of fragile hand

I've got butterflies

Dead girls don't just appear

out of thin air

But I am victim

to her sinister stare.

Please don't hate me for

what I've done

Run away with me,

I'll be everything that you need

Such a pretty girl screams to me,

Take my hand, take my breath away

I'll be your anchor, I'll be your lover

I'll be your anchor, I'll be your lover

And if your heart is filled with doubt

I'll bear my soul to you belle!

Please don't hate me for

what I've done

Run away with me,

I'll be everything that you need

Such a pretty girl screams to me,

Take my hand, take my breath away

I can't lose you again...

I can't lose you again...

I can't lose you again...

I'm nothing without you.

I'll never let you down

I'll never let you down

I'll never let you down

Angel

9. In her tomb by the sounding sea

So I'm thinking we should maybe

just run away from here

with no plan of coming back.

we can stay away forever

our anguished love will be all we have and

i will save your life

its happening again,

its happening again

i wont watch you die

its happening again,

its happening again

i can see its not the first time

you have come and taken her from me

Rest assured it's not the last time,

I'm going to set you free.

you took her once

shame on you

oh

you took her twice

shame on me

whisper softly

and tell me that you love me

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

please forgive me

and know that i am sorry

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

Trapped inside a memory.

(save you)

im falling apart

do you realize its over

theres no chance of leaving here alive

You don't realize what you're saying,

without me you can't survive.

you took her once

shame on you

oh

you took her twice

shame on me

whisper softly

and tell me that you love me

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

please forgive me

and know that i am sorry

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

Trapped inside a memory,

(save you)

ive lost it all

im falling apart

you've ripped out my heart.

(im falling apart)

i dont know where to start

i dont want to go

its happening again,

its happening again

but i cant let it show

ill be with her again,

together to the end

if i have to go

its happening again,

its happening again

ill be damned if im alone

ill be with her again

together til the end.

whisper softly

and tell me that you love me

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

please forgive me

and know that i am sorry

I'm losing you,

i dont know what to do

Trapped inside a memory,

(save you)

im falling apart

ive lost it all

10. To be scared by an owl

Look at the sky

As the night descends

The rain is crashing down,

I've hit another dead end

Just before I let hope slip away

A shadow is revealed, the devil shows his face

I'm scared to death and have myself to blame,

(I'm to blame)

How did we end up fighting anyway?

You know, I used to search the sky

And dream of where you were

I need you by my side,

We can end this together

I know I promised you the world

And still I let you down

I need you by my side

And together we'll end this now

Look in my eyes! Am I shaking now?

I am all you fear, have I made myself clear?

Shut your mouth and finish what you've started

Boy, you haven't got the slightest idea

Just who I am and what I do for you

Don't you see that I am trying to save you?

Shut your mouth and finish what you've started

I'm scared to death and have myself to blame,

(No one else)

How did we end up fighting anyway?

You know, I used to search the sky

And dream of where you were

I need you by my side,

We can end this together

I know I promised you the world

And still I let you down

I need you by my side

And together we'll end this now

[Speaking:]

As the last rays of sunlight fade,

One killer chases another

Through the tangled madness of the city

A flash of steel announces the presence of his quarry

The stage is set, the night explodes...

You killed her, you murderer

You have stripped me of the one that I love

Annabel, our Annabel

You have no clue what she's capable of...

I'm scared to death and have myself to blame

(I'm scared to death and have myself to blame)

How did we end up fighting anyway?

You know, I used to search the sky

And dream of where you were

I need you by my side,

We can end this together

I know I promised you the world

And still I let you down

I need you by my side

And together we'll end this now

You'd better look behind you...

11. Annabel

How does the dagger feel now when you're on the receiving end?

If this is what you call betrayal.

Then this is what I call revenge.

How could I be so blind?

I guess I fell in love too quickly...

But I'm fine.

Imagine where you'd be now if you only knew.

The one you love is the one who's killing you.

I trusted you too much.

I know now that I should have kept my eyes wide open.

The first time that we kissed.

I'll bury you for this.

Just say to me that this time is the last time.

And I'll pretend that somehow I know we'll be fine.

Years spent watching in silence as your illness spilled onto page.

Those were the last days I spend with you.

Before you left, before he came.

Just say to me that this time is the last time.

And I'll pretend I'm fine.

It is my fault?

You fell into that illusion you've been living discretely.

Should I blame you in the end?

Did you ever think the sketches would take over completely?

Die!

Just die!

You are scum!

You are filth!

Choke on blood as your knife ends the show! Writhe in pain you thought you'd

Never know!

I don't think they dig graves close enough to hell for the likes of you!

I handed you a knife and my heart, and now the dream is over...