| The Ministry of Lost Souls | |
| Systematic Chaos | |
| Length | 14:57 |
| Working title | Schindler's Lisp |
| Release date | June 4th, 2007 |
| Lyrics | John Petrucci |
| Music | Dream Theater |
| First live performance | Jäähalli, Helsinki, Finland, on Sept. 26, 2007 |
| Total live plays | 28 |
| Recorded | Avatar Studios |
| Other appearances | Chaos in Motion |
| Previous song | Prophets of War |
| Next song | In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 2 |
The Ministry of Lost Souls is the seventh track on Dream Theater's ninth album, Systematic Chaos. At 14:57, it 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").
John Petrucci recorded this song using a 6-string guitar in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).
Lyrics[]
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
