A Nightmare To Remember

[Instrumental Intro, with sounds of a storm brewing in the background] [Verse 1: James LaBrie] A nightmare to remember I'd never be the same What began as laughter So soon would turn to pain The sky was clear and frigid The air was thick and still Now I'm not one to soon forget And I bet I never will [Guitar Solo] [Verse 2A: James LaBrie] Picture for a moment The perfect irony A flawless new beginning Eclipsed by tragedy The uninvited stranger Started dancing on his own So we said goodbye To the glowing bride And we made our way back home [Verse 2B: James LaBrie] Life was so simple then We were so innocent Father and mother Holding each other [Instrumental Break, with sounds of a car accident in the background] [Verse 3: James LaBrie] Without warning Out of nowhere Like a bullet From the night Crushing Glass Rubber and steel Scorching fire Glowing lights Screams of terror Pain and Fear Sounds of sirens Smoke in my eyes Sudden stillness Blackened silence No more screaming No more cries [Chorus 1: James LaBrie][x2] Stunned and bewildered Cold and afraid Torn up and broken Frightened and dazed [Instrumental Break, with sounds of a hospital in the background] [Verse 4: James LaBrie] Lying on the table In this unfamiliar place I'm greeted by a stranger A man without a face He said, "Son, do you remember? Do you even know your name?" Then he shined a light into my eyes And said, "take this for the pain." [Chorus 2: James LaBrie] Hopelessly drifting Bathing in beautiful agony I am endlessly falling Lost in this wonderful misery In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake And all of the panic inside starts to fade Hopelessly drifting Bathing in beautiful agony [Verse 5: James LaBrie] "Tell me does this hurt you?" Said the faceless man "Can you move all of your fingers? Can you try your best to stand?" I asked about the others Is everyone OK? He told me not to worry As he turned and looked away [Chorus 2: James LaBrie] [Instrumental Break] [Bridge: Mike Portnoy] Day after day And night after night Replaying the events Did they ever see the red light? Over and over Scene by scene Like a recurring nightmare haunting my dreams How can you prepare for what would happen next? No son should ever have to see his father such a mess It's a miracle he lived It's a blessing no one died By the Grace of God above Everyone survived [Outro: James LaBrie] Life was so simple then We were so innocent It will stay with us forever A nightmare to remember