("I speak to you for the first time as Prime Minister in a solemn hour for the life of our country, of our empire, of our allies, and, above all, of the cause of Freedom.")

Sanctus Espiritus redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! Sanctus Espiritus! Sanctus Espiritus!

In my darkest hours I could not foresee
That the tide could turn so fast to this degree
Can't believe my eyes
How can you be so blind?
Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?
Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned
So in the end now what have we gained?

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Are they themselves to blame, the misery, the pain?
Didn't we let go, allowed it, let it grow?
If we can't restrain the beast which dwells inside
It will find it's way somehow, somewhere in time
Will we remember all of the suffering
Cause if we fail it will be in vain

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony

("A tremendous battle is raging in France and Flanders. The Germans, by a remarkable combination of air bombing and heavily armored tanks, have broken through the French defenses north of the Maginot Line, and strong columns of their armored vehicles are ravaging the open country, which for the first day or two was without defenders. They have penetrated deeply and spread alarm and confusion in their track.")

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony!

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour (Solem hour!)
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us (All around us!)
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony



Lyrics submitted by P30

Track duration: 04:17

"Our Solemn Hour" as written by Martijn Spierenburg, Sharon Den Adel, Robert Westerholt

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Our Solemn Hour song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:In my opinion, I find that this song is about the Holocaust. I think it's about how we can't forget the hatred towards the Jews, gypsies, etc., or it will indeed happen again.
    Flag BreakMeOpenon June 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Within Temptation are Dutch and I know The Netherlands suffered very badly in both world wars.
    The line
    'Are they themselves to blame, the misery, the pain
    Didn't we let go, allowed it, let it grow'
    Might refer to the allied nation's failed attempts at peace keeping after the First World War, the League of Nations and the policy of Appeasement for example. The fact that Germany and Hitler weren't solely to blame for the outbreak of the war.
    This is a very powerful song, it gives me chills every time.
    Flag MissBellaon April 23, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:In Spanish, the song means:
    --En español, la canción significa:

    Sanctus espiritus redeem us from our solemn hour
    Sanctus espiritus insanity is all around us
    Sanctus espiritus! Sanctus espiritus! Sanctus espiritus!

    --Santos espíritus, redímannos de nuestra hora solemne
    --Santos espíritus, la locura está en todos lados
    --¡Santos espíritus! ¡Santos espíritus! ¡Santos espíritus!

    In my darkest hours I could not foresee
    that the tide could turn so fast to this degree
    Can't believe my eyes
    How can you be so blind?
    Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?
    Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned
    So in the end now what have we gained?

    --En mis horas más oscuras, no podía prever
    --que la ola podía llega a este nivel
    --Mis ojos no lo pueden creer
    --¿Cómo pueden estar tan ciegos?
    --¿El corazón es de piedra, sin empatía?
    --El tiempo sigue corriendo y no hemos aprendido
    --Entonces, ahora, al final, ¿qué hemos ganado?

    Sanctus espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
    Sanctus espiritus, insanity is all around us
    Sanctus espiritus, is this what we deserve,
    can we brake free from chains of never-ending agony?

    --Santos espíritus, redimidnos de nuestra hora solemne
    --Santos espíritus, la locura está alrededor de nosotros
    --Santos espíritus, ¿esto es lo que merecemos,
    --podemos librarnos de las cadenas de la agonía interminable?

    Are they themselves to blame, the misery, the pain?
    Didn't we let go, allowed it, let it grow?
    If we can't restrain the beast which dwells inside
    it will find it's way somehow, somewhere in time
    Will we remember all of the suffering
    Cause if we fail it will be in vain

    --¿Ellos mismos tienen la culpa, la miseria, el dolor?
    --¿No lo dejamos irse, no lo permitimos ni lo dejamos crecer?
    --Si no detenemos a la bestia que habita dentro,
    --hallará su camino de alguna forma, en alguna parte en el tiempo
    --Recordaremos todo el sufrimiento
    --porque si fallamos, será en vano

    Sanctus espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
    Sanctus espiritus, insanity is all around us
    Sanctus espiritus, is this what we deserve,
    can we brake free from chains of never-ending agony?

    Sanctus espiritus, Sanctus espiritus

    --Santos espíritus, redimidnos de nuestra hora solemne
    --Santos espíritus, la locura está en todos lados
    --Santos espíritus, ¿esto es lo que merecemos,
    --podemos librarnos de las cadenas de la agonía interminable?

    Greetings from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
    --Saludos desde Culiacán, Sinaloa, México.
    Flag Hongus21on November 02, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:"sanctus experitus" means "Holy Spirit" in Latin, and because of the quotes from Winston Churchill in the background, I think that this song is an anti-war song for World War II, they're singing about the Jews and how they can't believe that

    "that the tide could turn so fast to this degree"

    this quote probably means that Hitler rose to power and then began taking away their rights, moving them to ghettos, and then sending them to concentration camps very quickly, and that they could not have imagined this would happen.


    I think that
    "How can you be so blind?
    Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?"
    and
    "Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
    Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
    Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve?
    Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?" means that they are praying to God.

    So this song is targeted at the Jews' suffering in World War II.
    Flag briankukuon August 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Like "The Howling", it's against war, though "The Howling" talks more about what will happen when there is war.
    Flag xoxEmilyxoxon December 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:PS
    "Sanctus Espirtus"
    refers to the "holy spirit" or the "holy ghost".

    It does not refer to Jesus Christ and it does not necessarily have be the same Holy Spirit of the Bible, but it probably means to be.

    The term seems to be of Catholic origin.
    Flag Ariel007on October 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:It is possible that this song follows after a kind of interpretation in biblical prophesy. Probably an apocalyptic prophesy about the "Beast Power" (A military power), who is in league with the "False Prophet" who is otherwise known as the Anti-Christ.
    Notice these lyrics;
    "If we can't restrain
    The beast which dwells inside
    It will find it`s way somehow, somewhere in time"

    It has been speculated by some church organizations that Hitler, and possibly Napoleon as well, were a manifestation of the "Beast Power", but were not the final demonic vessel to provoke the end of this age. History is prone to repeat itself and the song is definitely referring to this theme.
    Maybe a World War 3??

    "Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned
    So in the end now what have we gained?

    Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
    Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
    Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve?
    Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?"


    Finally notice this last parallel.

    The following scriptures refer to the end of this age.

    "And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days." Mark 13:20

    "WATCH THEREFORE, for you know neither the day nor the HOUR in which the Son of Man is coming." Mark 15:13 (emphasis added)

    pay careful attention to the lyrics.

    "Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn HOUR
    Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us"
    (perhaps REDEEM could also mean SAVE?)

    "In my darkest hours
    I could not FORESEE
    That the tide could turn so fast to this degree
    Can't believe my eyes
    How can you be so blind?
    Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?"

    (These COULD be referring to the sudden, and unexpected dawn of the last days will arrive. Cold hearts refer to the people of that time too.)

    There are a few more parallels, but their not as clear, and these are already pretty obscure.
    Flag Ariel007on October 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I don't believe this song is about war. You gotta look between the lines. It about growing as person. This world is dark and demented and will try to push us down. No matter what, keep fighting. Don't let the dark forces: depression, hate, greed, etc to encumber your spirit. We have little time on this earth so make the best of it. Of course you're going to make mistakes, but learn and learn the most important thing...unconditional love. This means loving someone no matter what, no matter how bad things get. Don't let anything in life influence you otherwise.

    That's my theory, but it's too bad we're all fucked up in the head to be able to do this. Goodbye.
    Flag Da3thon March 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about Germany in both world wars, the chorus is the population of Germany calling out for help, the chains of never-ending agony are the blame and damage inflicted by the rest of Europe after World war I, the main parts are about Britain and the shock of the sudden power unleashed by Nazi Germany.
    Flag Flashfire07on January 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is deff an antiwar song and i believe the lyrics are trying to ask us as the audience if we deserve all this to our world ?
    Flag savikaanon July 21, 2009   Link

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