The Islander

"The Islander" is the tenth track on symphonic power metal quintet Nightwish’s Dark Passion Play album. It was released as a single on May 21, 2008, and the video itself premiered on April 14, 2008[3]. On the day of release, "The Islander" topped the Finnish Charts, entering at #1 entirely on physical sales. The song is highly influenced by folk music rather than the symphonic power metal Nightwish usually play, and uses only acoustic guitars, rather than electric. It also uses some keyboard effects and (in the end of the song) drums. Marco Hietala sings the whole song with only backing vocals from Anette Olzon. He also wrote most of the music for the song, unlike most others, which were written by Tuomas Holopainen. The song used guest musician Troy Donockley who is featured on several instruments.

An old man by a seashore at the end of day Gazes the horizon with sea winds in his face Tempest-tossed island, seasons all the same Anchorage unpainted and a ship without a name Sea without a shore for the banished one unheard He lightens the beacon, light at the end of world Showing the way, lighting hope in their hearts The ones on their travels homeward from afar [Chorus:] This is for long-forgotten light at the end of the world Horizon crying the tears he left behind long ago The albatross is flying, making him daydream The time before he became one of the world's unseen Princess in the tower, children in the fields Life gave him it all, an island of the universe Now his love's a memory, a ghost in the fog He sets the sails one last time saying farewell to the world Anchor to the water, seabed far below Grass still in his feet and a smile beneath his brow [Chorus:] This is for long-forgotten light at the end of the world Horizon crying the tears he left behind long ago [Chorus:] This is for long-forgotten light at the end of the world Horizon crying the tears he left behind long ago