Wasted Years

Praying Mantis's song 'Wasted Years' delves deep into themes of regret, redemption, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person reflecting on their past, filled with mistakes and lost opportunities. The opening lines, 'I search for what remains / Once a heart so pure, bad blood now in my veins,' suggest a transformation from innocence to corruption, hinting at a life marred by poor choices and the resulting consequences. This transformation is further emphasized by the line, 'This man has yet to live, just still a child in time,' indicating a sense of arrested development or a life not fully lived.

The chorus, 'I have waited for this moment in time / I could have cried a thousand tears / But this freedom now, is all I’ll ever need / Redemption of these wasted years,' speaks to the protagonist's longing for liberation from their past. The idea of 'freedom' and 'redemption' suggests that despite the years lost to regret and bitterness, there is still hope for a new beginning. The repeated mention of 'wasted years' underscores the theme of time slipping away, but the focus on redemption offers a glimmer of hope and the possibility of a brighter future.

The song also touches on the internal struggle and the fight for survival. Lines like 'I’ve tasted death, I’d fought and I’d won / Died for this day, this day to come' highlight the protagonist's resilience and determination to overcome their past. The mention of 'madness close behind' and 'the cheating of the innocent, the loaded dice' suggests a world filled with deceit and challenges, yet the protagonist emerges victorious, ready to embrace the freedom they have long sought. 'Wasted Years' is a powerful reflection on the human condition, the inevitability of time, and the enduring hope for redemption.