Dragon, Why do You Cry?
Idle Hands
The Melancholic Elegy of a Forgotten Dragon
Idle Hands' song "Dragon, Why do You Cry?" is a poignant exploration of themes such as aging, obsolescence, and the fading of dreams. The lyrics tell the story of a dragon, a mythical creature often associated with power and majesty, who is now old and forgotten. The dragon's tears symbolize a deep sense of loss and sorrow, reflecting the inevitable passage of time and the fading of once-vibrant dreams. The narrator's search for the dragon over a thousand years signifies a relentless quest for meaning and connection in a world that often feels indifferent and transient.
The dialogue between the narrator and the dragon reveals a profound existential crisis. The dragon, once a symbol of fantasy and wonder, now feels obsolete in a world that no longer believes in such myths. The lines "The world is make-believe / You're still alive, you must keep dreaming" suggest a struggle to hold onto dreams and imagination in the face of harsh realities. The dragon's response, "Young man, I am not real," underscores the painful realization that the magic and wonder of the past have been overshadowed by the relentless march of time and progress.
The song also touches on themes of loneliness and the human need for belief and wonder. The dragon's lament that "no one cares, no one hears me" speaks to a universal feeling of isolation and the desire to be seen and understood. The narrator's insistence that they still believe in dragons, despite the dragon's own doubts, highlights the enduring power of hope and imagination. The countdown at the end of the song, "Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one," can be interpreted as a symbolic gesture of renewal and the cyclical nature of time, suggesting that even as old dreams fade, new ones can take their place.