Oliver Lumen
I’ve been making music for most of my life, across many different projects. I'm excited to share this most recent set of music with you all.
Listen to Oliver Lumen's latest album on Spotify Listen to Oliver Lumen's latest album on Apple Music
Like a Butterfly — Track Notes & Lyrics
1. Hideaway
I wrote this when I lost my vision for a few weeks in 2025 and didn’t know how it would turn out. My world got really small really fast. I sat at the piano and it was one of those rare songs that came out pretty much fully formed.
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The night turns to day While I remain inside this hideaway… with you The stars fade away While I remain inside this hideaway with you Every time I close my eyes I see the dreams that passed me by in that hideaway Every time I close my eyes I feel the ache I feel the light in that hideaway with you The world slips away Locked away inside this hideaway
2. Broken Angel
This song has been bouncing around in my head for a long time. It’s actually not about anyone specific but more of an idea - the way people can get stuck thinking that the world is always against them, and how hard it is to get through to that person until their perspective shifts.
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I was sitting down by the window Watching winter fly, feeling warm That's when you came to me, broken angel You held its broken wings in the storm It was something like a temptation Passing over me and out the door You were talking like you were faced with Broken miracles on the floor And you were acting like you were wasted Hanging silver bells on the door And it was something like a temptation Passing over me and out the door Yeah And you were talking like They were all out to hurt you, my love But darling, it was just you Yeah And you were talking like They were all out to hurt you, my love But darling, it was just you It was just you It was just you It was just you It was just you And it was something about how you'd say it That made me turn around at the door It was something proud, something jaded With nothing left to lose anymore And it was something like a temptation Passing over me and out the door Yeah And you were talking like They were all out to hurt you, my love But darling, it was just you Yeah And you were talking like They were all out to hurt you, my love But darling, it was just you It was just you It was just you It was just you It was just you
3. Snowstorm
I wrote this after getting stuck in a snowstorm with some friends. The eerie stillness after the storm made me think about how I deal with loss and tough things, where I tend to numb the negative feelings and convince myself and others that I'm doing alright.
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The wind howled and raged In the snowstorm yesterday All the roads were closed As we huddled in our homes There's a frozen break in time A stillness that abides Nothing moves outside But I feel Alright It's not too far from here The lonely night filled with hurt and tears And in a way, I feel your presence here Cause in the snow, all my thoughts are clear And it's gone Yesterday is gone Yesterday is gone Yesterday is gone Yesterday is gone But I feel But I feel But I feel Alright It's not too far from here The lonely night filled with hurt and tears And in a way, I feel your presence here Cause in the snow, all my thoughts are clear And it's gone Yesterday is gone Yesterday is gone Yesterday is gone
4. Like a Butterfly
This song is about getting knocked down and deciding to get back up and keep going. I was struck by the idea that before a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, everything breaks apart first and dies - and then somehow comes back together as something new.
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I got knocked down and they thought I was lazy I got back up and they thought I was crazy I got two punched but I'm ready for another try You stand up tall and they all want to greet you You fall to the ground and they all want to beat you They left me for dead but I got me another life Like a butterfly A butterfly My oh my Like a butterfly Ooo a butterfly A butterfly My oh my Like a butterfly I never thought about quitting, kept pushing ahead Not knowing if I'd break through or end up dead But either way something's waiting on the other side Like a butterfly A butterfly My oh my A butterfly A butterfly A butterfly My oh my Like a butterfly A butterfly A butterfly My oh my Like a butterfly
5. The Isle of Davenport
This song came out while I was doodling around on the piano one day. I have no idea what the Isle of Davenport is, but in the mysterious way song ideas can pop into existence out of nowhere, those words came into my mind right away as I played the melody on the piano, and I immediately knew that was the song title. The song is about coming to a realization that your calling is to walk a path that will be hard and that will require sacrifice, but choosing to walk it anyway.
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Just a little time till I draw the sword On the Isle of Davenport With a little pluck And a little wine Had a lot to give, had a lot to take But a knocking's at my door I hear the clock And it's my time I always thought I'd die When I grow old But that's just not in the cards, no Just give me a kiss To say goodbye I always thought I'd live Like a man on the run Never stopping for love But this is the place And this is the time Just one more day and one more night Till my time comes to a close This life was good, this life was sweet I wonder what awaits me next As I'm walking through that door Another place, another time I always thought I'd die When I grow old But that's just not in the cards, no Just give me a kiss To say goodbye I always thought I'd live Like a man on the run Never stopping for love But this is the place And this is the time
6. Hero’s Journey
This song has been floating around in my head for a long time — probably 25 years or so. It started with a few chords modified from a Chopin prelude and slowly took shape as something less like a story and more like a painting about a quest through the wilderness and the unknown, in the search of something mysterious and profound.
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The dream returns to me like a thief In the night when my thoughts linger I never wanted to be entropy's child I never wanted to be lost in the wild alone I walk the ring of fire And bend the rays of dawn I ride the winds of fire And gaze with all my power But I can't stop my mind I never wanted to be entropy's child I never wanted to be lost in the wild alone I walk the ring of fire And bend the rays of dawn To see the eyes of God I walk the ring of fire To breathe in while I can And bend the rays of dawn To see the eyes of God I walk the ring of fire To breathe in while I can And bend the rays of dawn To see the eyes of God I walk the ring of fire