Only a Dream
Dreams Shattered: Unraveling the Environmental Anthem by Adrian Belew
Lyrics
The woman screams at the windy day
The woman expresses distress in response to the windy conditions.
Her children play in the acid rain
Her children are playing in harmful acid rain, indicating a hazardous environment.
The water is green and the sky is brown
The water is polluted (green), and the sky is polluted as well (brown).
The cars and buildings, all broken down
Both cars and buildings are in a state of disrepair and decay.
Now what in the world is happening here
The singer is puzzled about the events and seeks an explanation.
Will somebody please explain
A plea for someone to clarify the inexplicable occurrences.
Nothing I see makes sense to me
The singer is confused, as nothing observed seems logical.
Maybe it's only a dream
The suggestion that the surreal situation might be a dream.
The deer in the forest or the eagle in the sky
Wildlife reacts fearfully to human presence, hiding from Man.
They see Man coming and they run to hide
The impact of human actions is causing harm to nature.
The birds on the shore will no longer fly
Birds are affected by pollution, losing the ability to fly.
They're covered in oil and they're bound to die
Animals are covered in oil, facing inevitable death due to environmental damage.
Now how in the world does that make sense
The singer questions the sense in the killing of innocent beings.
The killing of innocent beings
Expressing concern about the irrational actions of humanity.
What in the world is wrong with us
Pondering what is wrong with humanity as a whole.
Maybe it's only a dream
Suggesting that the disturbing reality might only be a dream.
The air we breathe and the food we eat
Highlighting the pollution of essential elements like air and food.
Poor Mother Earth was poisoned in her sleep
Describing Mother Earth as being harmed while in a state of rest (sleep).
Now what in the world is happening here
The singer reiterates the confusion about the ongoing events.
Will somebody please explain
A plea for an explanation, as nothing observed makes sense.
Nothing I see makes sense to me
Reiteration of the singer's confusion about the illogical situation.
Tell me it's only a dream
Expressing a desire for reassurance that the disturbing reality is just a dream.
The woman screams at the wind and rain
The woman continues to express distress, this time directed at the elements.
It's only a dream
A reassurance that it's only a dream, trying to minimize the impact of the harsh reality.
Just a bad dream
Emphasizing that the distressing experience is just a bad dream.
What a bad dream
Reiteration of the nightmarish quality of the dream.
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