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Dream Theater – The Count of Tuscany Lyrics 14 years ago
This is a far stretch, and I'm almost certain they didn't intend it to be so, but I see the ending as a metaphor for someone going through the stages of dying, with a few imperfections.

"


"

"Could this be the end?
Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone
No one by my side

I don't understand
I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong?
I just don't understand"

At first they're afraid, in denial, and slightly angry. They're presented with the idea that they're dying in the first stanza, and then they show denial by saying that they don't understand, and anger with the fact that they feel like they don't deserve to die.

"Give me one more chance
Let me please explain
It's all been circumstance
I'll tell you once again

You took me for a ride
Promising a vast adventure
Next thing that I know
I'm frightened for my life"

Then they're clearly bargaining. Being frightened for their life could be spun as to saying they're feeling depressed. But other than this far stretch, depression is missing from the stages, though it could be seen somewhat in the first two stanzas, or just in the somewhat depressing tone of the lyrics in the first 4 stanzas.

"Now wait a minute man
That's not how it is
You must be confused
That isn't who I am

Please don't be afraid
I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live
Strange although it seems
Please try to forgive

The chapel and the saint
The soldiers and the wine
The fables and the tales
All handed down through time

Of course you're free to go
Go and tell the world my story
Tell about my brother
Tell them about me

The Count of Tuscany"

Then the very end is clearly acceptance, but you have to read it as if it's all being said by the same person, rather than the second half of the ending be the Count talking to Petrucci. You can also see the fact that they're satisfied with their life when they say that's just how they live and reminiscing about aspects of the past and encouraging people to tell his story, signifying that he is happily and ungregrettably allowing it to end.
Obviously, it's a really far stretch, but you could sorta get that out of the song. It sure matches the music a lot better when you imagine that it's about someone coming to terms with their impending death.


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