Constantinople
Echoes of Conflict: Al Stewart's Constantinople Revels in the Strife of Divided Worlds
Lyrics
Across the western world
Refers to conflicts occurring across the Western world.
The fights are going down
Describes ongoing fights or conflicts.
The gypsy armies of the evening
Depicts groups or armies moving like nomads during the evening.
Have lit their fires across
Symbolizes the spread of these armies' influence by lighting fires.
The nether side of town
Refers to the less prosperous or undesirable part of town.
They will not pass this way again
Implies that this particular moment won't recur.
So here in the night
Highlights the present time, especially during the night.
Leave your home it's time for running
Suggests the urgency to leave home and escape.
Out of the light
Advises moving away from exposure to danger or conflict.
I see the hosts of Mohammed coming
Portrays an imminent arrival or invasion by forces associated with Mohammed.
The Holy Sister bars her doors against the East
Refers to an entity, possibly a symbolic representation, protecting against the East.
Her house has stood too long divided
Indicates a long-standing division within the protected entity's house.
The uninvited guests are breaking up the feast
Uninvited guests are disrupting the established order or enjoyment.
She may not bid them leave again
Suggests the inability to force the uninvited guests to depart.
So here in the night
Reiterates the urgency to leave home due to impending danger.
Leave your home it's time for running
Repeats the advice to flee or escape from the impending threat.
Out of the light
Reemphasizes the need to move away from the danger or conflict zone.
I see the hosts of Mohammed coming
Reiterates the imminent arrival or approach of Mohammed's forces.
I dreamed I stood like this before
Recollection of a similar situation in a dream or a past experience.
And I'm sure the words that I heard then
Memories of hearing similar words in the past.
Were much the same
Indicates similarity between the current situation and past experiences.
It's just an old Greek tragedy they're acting here
Compares the ongoing events to an old Greek tragedy, possibly implying a recurring cycle of conflict.
Held over by popular acclaim
Suggests the continuation of the situation due to public approval or support.
So here in the night
Reiterates the urgency to escape or run away during the night.
Leave your home it's time for running
Repeats the advice to leave home to avoid danger or conflict.
Out of the light
Stresses the importance of moving away from the danger zone.
I see the hosts of Mohammed coming
Reiterates the imminent arrival or approach of Mohammed's forces.
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