Karma by Kamelot Lyrics Meaning – Delving Deep into the Cycle of Fate and Retribution

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Kamelot's Karma at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I am a king of honor
Gold and glory
But every king must also die
Have I been just and righteous

What is glory
I know I’ve torn and taken life
And here I stand
A small and simple man

Who will trade his karma for my kingdom
A sacrificial right to render truth
The fire in my soul rejects my wisdom
‘Cause all you do in life comes back to you

I am a king in crisis
Counting minutes
There is an ending to my reign
My sins have come to face me

I can feel it
That I have lived my life in vain
And now I know I’ll reap
The seeds I’ve sown

Who will trade his karma for my kingdom
A sacrificial right to render truth
The fire in my soul rejects my wisdom
‘Cause all you do in life comes back to you

Am I mad
I feel so void and cold
Who can tell
Who holds the stories untold

Tired and trembling
I am descending
Will I have to stay here
And live this life again

Through the majestic march of melody and potent poetics, Kamelot’s ‘Karma’ stands as a bastion of symphonic metal storytelling, grappling with the inexorable truths of life, legacy, and the eternal balance of karma. Quintessentially, the song delves into the profound reflection of a king at the twilight of his reign, embroiled in a profound reckoning with his past actions and their consequences.

As much an esoteric exploration as it is an epic ballad, ‘Karma’ probes deeply into the human condition. Power and downfall, glory and disgrace fold into each other under Kamelot’s artful composition. In this dissection of ‘Karma,’ we unravel the threads of philosophic discourse embedded within, seeking enlightenment from its haunting verses.

A Sovereign’s Silent Soliloquy: The Burden of Power and Mortality

The opening lines of ‘Karma’ cut directly to the core of human hubris. The character of the king serves as an embodiment of temporal power juxtaposed with the inevitability of death. The lyrics suggest a life led with the illusion of grandeur but shadowed by the pursuit and costs of such glory—hinting at the transience of all earthly accomplishments.

This introspection confronts the listener with the idea that leadership carries with it an ethical weight, measured not by the gold amassed or the fame acquired but by the integrity and justice upheld throughout one’s rule. The haunting question the king presents, pondering the rightness of his actions, invites us all to reflect on the morality of our own lives.

The Inescapable Wheel: Understanding the Song’s Hidden Meaning

At the cornerstone of ‘Karma’ lies the principle of cause and effect, the spiritual belief that every action precipitates an equal and destined reaction. In essence, the song is a reminder of life’s cyclic nature and how a man’s deeds—good or bad—inevitably shape his destiny.

The verse ‘Who will trade his karma for my kingdom?’ mirrors the age-old conundrum of spiritual wealth versus material riches. The king confronts the stark realization that all his worldly successes cannot absolve him of the karma he’s accrued. This lyric underscores the song’s pivotal message: true wealth is found in the soul’s ledger, not a kingdom’s treasury.

The Fire and the Void: Dichotomy of Emotion and Enlightenment

Kamelot masterfully juxtaposes fiery passion with the cold void of introspection, reflecting the turmoil within. ‘The fire in my soul rejects my wisdom,’ cries the king, acknowledging the clash between a ruler’s regal assertions and the humble authenticity of the spirit’s quiet wisdom.

This line captures the quintessence of human internal conflicts—the struggle between the ego’s desire for legacy and power and the soul’s search for truth and inner peace. The emotive power packed into these lyrics reflects a common thread in human experience, resonating deeply with any listener familiar with self-reflection.

Memorable Lines that Echo the Ethereal: ‘All You Do in Life Comes Back to You’

These potent words reverberate as the song’s mantra. Such a simple line weaves complex tapestries of meaning, wrapping up the essence of karma in a melodic embrace. It’s a dire warning and a comforting promise, depending on the path one has trodden.

Furthermore, these lyrics pervade the listener’s consciousness, a reminder that the legacy we leave behind isn’t encapsulated in monuments or wealth but in the actions we choose every day. The recurring phrase, threaded through the intricate fabric of the melody, ensures its resonance long after the song has faded.

A King’s Descent and the Bid for Redemption: The Climactic Uncertainty

As the sovereign voice in ‘Karma’ stands on the precipice, contemplating his descent from power and potential damnation, the listener is offered a vivid image of the finality of death and the consequences beyond. ‘Tired and trembling, I am descending,’ he declares, evoking visceral emotions as his karmic debt looms imminent.

The uncertainty posed by the last lines plunges us into the heart of the human fear of the unknown—what lies after the fall of empires, after the curtain falls on our mortal performance? The ambivalence of the finale, ‘Will I have to stay here / And live this life again,’ lingers hauntingly, challenging us to ponder our actions and their possible recurrence in the ceaseless cycles of time and karma.