Behind the Lyrics: The Emotional Journey of Avenged Sevenfold’s “So Far Away”

Introduction

Music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from different walks of life. Avenged Sevenfold, an American metal band, is known for their intense guitar riffs and powerful lyrics that perfectly capture not only their own emotions but also resonate with their fans. One of their most popular songs, “So Far Away,” is not just a tribute to the band’s late drummer James Sullivan, but also an emotional journey that speaks to anyone who has lost someone dear to them. In this article, we will dive deep into the meaning behind “So Far Away.”

Background

In 2009, James Sullivan (also known as “The Rev”) suddenly passed away due to an overdose. Sullivan was not only the band’s drummer but also a close friend and a creative force behind their music. As a way to honor him, the band wrote “So Far Away,” which was included in their fifth studio album, “Nightmare,” released in 2010.

The Lyrics

The song opens with the lines:

Never feared for anything,
Never shamed but never free.
A life to heal the broken heart,
With all that it could.
Lived a life so endlessly,
Saw beyond what others see.
I tried to heal your broken heart
With all that I could.

These lines set the tone of the song and reveal the deep emotions that the band members felt after Sullivan’s passing. The lyrics describe a person who lived his life to help others, but was never truly free from his own pain. The last line especially hits hard, as the band members express their sincere desire to heal Sullivan’s broken heart, but they were unable to do so.

The chorus then goes:

Will you stay?
Will you stay away forever?
How do I live without the ones I love?
Time still turns the pages of the book it’s burned.
Place and time always on my mind.
I have so much to say but you’re so far away.

These lines convey the pain of loss and the struggle of having to live without the person you love. The reference to time turning the pages of a burned book suggests that no matter how much one tries to hold onto memories, they will eventually fade away. The line “I have so much to say but you’re so far away” perfectly captures the feeling of wanting to communicate with a loved one but being unable to do so.

The second verse goes:

Sleep tight, I’m not afraid (not afraid).
The ones that we love are here with me.
Lay away a place for me,
‘Cause as soon as I’m done I’ll be on my way.
To live eternally.
How do I live without the ones I love?
Place and time always on my mind.
And the light you left remains but it’s so hard to stay.
When I have so much to say but you’re so far away.

These lines continue the theme of loss, but also offer a glimmer of hope. The band members express their belief that their loved ones who have passed away are still with them in spirit, and that they will eventually be reunited with them in the afterlife. However, this does not diminish the present pain of missing them.

The Meaning

“So Far Away” is a tribute not only to James Sullivan but to anyone who has lost someone dear to them. The song offers solace to those who are struggling with grief and acknowledges the difficulty of moving on from loss. It speaks of the pain of not being able to communicate with our loved ones, and the hope that we will eventually be reunited with them in another realm.

Conclusion

Avenged Sevenfold’s “So Far Away” is a powerful song that perfectly captures the emotions of loss and grief. It serves as a reminder that no matter how much time passes, the memory of our loved ones will always remain with us. The song also highlights the importance of honoring and remembering those who have passed away, not just for ourselves but for the impact they had on our lives. As the band members say in the closing lines of the song, “We’ll burn forever, fire is catching up all the lives that we’ve lost in the flames.”