The 8th track of Dream Theater’s 1997 album Falling into Infinity. Written by guitarist John Petrucci, “Take Away My Pain” depicts his grief following the death of his father due to cancer. It can be considered a followup to Another Day from 1992’s Images and Words, which was written about him while...
[Verse 1]
I was sitting on the edge of his bed
Staring at the headlines on the paper
He said, "look at poor Gene Kelly
I guess he won't be singing in the rain"
You can take away my heroes
Can you take away my pain?
[Chorus]
Take away my pain
Leave the cold outside
Please don't let it rain
Don't stumble on my pride
Take away my pain
I'm not frightened any more
Just stay with me tonight
I'm tired of this fight
Soon I'll be knocking at your door
[Verse 2]
She was standing by the edge of his bed
Staring at the message on their faces
He said, "what else can you do babe?
I guess I won't be coming home again"
They just took away all my promises
Make them take away my pain
[Chorus]
Take away my pain
Leave the cold outside
Please don't let it rain
Don't stumble on my pride
Take away my pain
I'm not frightened any more
Just stay with me tonight
I'm tired of this fight
Soon I'll be knocking at your door
[Bridge]
His final scene
The actor bows
And all those years
Are gone somehow
The crowd applauds
The curtain falls
[Verse 3]
I was standing by the edge of the water
I noticed my reflection in the waves
Then I saw you looking back at me
And I knew that for a moment
You were calling out my name
You took away my hero
Will you take away my pain?
[Chorus - Variation]
Take away my pain
Let the cold inside
It's time to let it rain
There's nothing left to hide
Take away my pain
I'm not frightened anymore
I'm learning to survive
Without you in my life
'Til you come knocking at my door
Take Away My Pain was written by Mike Portnoy & John Myung & James LaBrie & Derek Sherinian & John Petrucci.
Take Away My Pain was produced by Kevin Shirley.
Dream Theater released Take Away My Pain on Tue Sep 23 1997.