The Ministry of Lost Souls

At 14:57, "The Ministry of Lost Souls" is the album's second longest track. Throughout the song's lyrics, Petrucci tells of a person who dies in the process of saving a woman from drowning. However, the woman who is saved is filled with "regret and sorrow" until she is able to re-unite with her rescuer. The title for the track during recording was, "Schindler's Lisp" and it was the fourth song to be written.

However, there could be another interpretation of the lyrics. It could be about a woman wanting to kill herself, wanting to jump in the water but a man refrains her. But as she continues to suffer, and the man can't convince her anymore to stay alive, he finally "accepts" her to commit suicide ("It's time I release you from this life").

LyricsEdit

The water's edge is where she waits
Lost soul still wandering
Meant to die, but she's stuck not crossing over

The other side is where he waits
His spirit reaching out
Meant to save, but she's too scared to take his hand

Living in a world without you (drowning in the past)
Is living in no world at all
So now I call on you

Remember me: I gave you life
You would not take it
Your suffering was all in vain
It's almost over now
Don't turn your back on Paradise

Feeling scared, she's prepared
To give up everything
She can't stand to feel like half of her is fading

He will choose the only way
To rid her of her pain
Take her soul now; the decision has been made

Living in a world without love (burning into my soul)
Is living in a worthless world
So I will call on you

Remember me: I gave you life
You would not take it
Your suffering was all in vain
It's almost over
Remember me; you were so young
How could I tell you?
Remember me: I am the one
Who saved your life that night

I was the one who would not
Abandon you
Even in death I was the one who would not leave you

I used my freedom to protect you
And all the while direct you
Do you remember me this time?
Even in death I gave you life
I gave you life

I wanted to deserve a place...
A place beside you

This time when I reach out my hand
It reached all the way to heaven

Remember me: I gave you life
You would not take it
Your suffering was all in vain
It's almost over now
Goodbye
It's almost over now
Goodbye
It's time I release you from this life
Don't turn your back on Paradise