Replica

Been going through my older stuff a lot lately and while this is hardly old... it's a classic of mine.

I guess with so much conflict going on in the world at the moment it won't be long before the question gets asked again, "What becomes of a soldier after the war?"

Wars are fought on a continual basis. Many within, I think that along the way many of us are left hollow after personal defeats, nothing but a shell of who we once were.

"Replica" by Sonata Arctica covers the war aspect quite well here. Perhaps some wars should never be entered into when all you're likely to end up with is a loss of self.

I'm home again, I won the war, and now I am behind
your door. I tried so hard to obey the law, and see the
meaning of this all. Remember me? Before the war.
I'm the man who lived next door. Long ago...

As you can see, when you look at me, I'm pieces of
what I used to be. It's easier when you don't see me
standing on my own two feet. I'm taller when I sit
here still, you ask are all my dreams fulfilled.
They made me a heart of steel, the kind them bullets
cannot see, yeah...

Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me...

The light is green, my slate is clean, new life to fill
the hole in me. I had no name, last December, Christmas
Eve I can't remember. I was in a constant pain, I saw
your shadow in the rain. I painted all your pictures red,
I wish I had stayed home instead.yeah!!

Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me...

Are you gonna leave me now, when it is all over
Are you gonna leave me, is my world now over...

Raising from the place I've been, and trying to keep
my home base clean. Now I'm here and won't go back believe.

I fall asleep and dream a dream, I'm floating in the
silent stream. No-one placing blame on me
But nothing's what it seems to be, yeah!!

Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica

Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica.
Empty shell inside of me
I'm a replica. (repeat)

Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm a replica of me.....

I'm home again, I won the war, and now I am behind
the door. I tried so hard to obey the law, see the
meaning of this all. Remember me? Before the war.
I'm the man who lived...

Sometimes it may seem that the wars we've fought have taken a piece (or even the whole of who we are), never let anyone take you away. Sometimes it's best to break the law and end what ever commitment that may be.