The Mirror Waters

The Gathering's song 'The Mirror Waters' delves deep into the themes of aging, self-reflection, and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of a person grappling with the realization of their own mortality and the loss of youth. The opening lines, 'Slowly... Flying silent / Touching the wind as it sadly sings... for me,' set a melancholic tone, suggesting a sense of quiet resignation and introspection. The wind, often a symbol of change and the passage of time, sings a sad song, perhaps mourning the loss of the protagonist's youth and vitality.

The imagery of aging is vividly portrayed through lines like 'Aging on the outside / With my youth in my empty hands,' highlighting the contrast between the physical signs of aging and the internal feeling of lost youth. The protagonist's encounter with 'her eyes' serves as a powerful metaphor for self-reflection. The eyes, often considered windows to the soul, reflect the protagonist's old age and evoke a sense of sorrow and acceptance. The repetition of 'Youth grows old, like winter follows spring' underscores the natural, inevitable cycle of life and the passage of time.

The song also touches on the theme of fear and control, as seen in the lines 'Life can't always be controlled / Controlled by fear / Scared of months and years, fear no longer.' This suggests a journey towards acceptance and letting go of the fear associated with aging and the passage of time. The mask of age, mentioned in 'Masked is my face / The mask of age will fall, hide no longer,' symbolizes the societal pressures and personal insecurities related to aging. The eventual falling of this mask signifies a moment of liberation and self-acceptance. Through its evocative lyrics and haunting melodies, 'The Mirror Waters' invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with time, aging, and self-acceptance.