This Was Pompeii
Echoes of Pompeii: A Century's Reflection on Loss and Renewal
Lyrics
I am thinking about the woman in a century of peace
The speaker reflects on a woman during a peaceful time, picturing her engaged in washing on a mosaic.
On a bright mosaic she is washing on her knees
The woman looks up at the sky and expresses relief at the prospect of rain finally falling.
And she looks up at the black sky beyond the mountain tall
She observes the black sky beyond a tall mountain.
She says, "Oh good, the rain is finally going to fall today."
The woman welcomes the rain, indicating a positive occurrence.
This was Pompeii.
The phrase "This was Pompeii" introduces the theme of the historical event and its relevance to the speaker.
And everyone has memories of the night that melted stone
People have memories of the night when stone melted, possibly referencing the destruction of Pompeii.
The neighbor's nightgown, the screaming on the phone
Details of the night include a neighbor's nightgown, screaming on the phone, indicating chaos and panic.
And the tired man at the station says, "We can't tell who's alive
A tired man at the station expresses uncertainty about identifying survivors.
All we ever know is that the tourists survive."
All that is known is that tourists survived, highlighting the unpredictability of survival.
"Tra la, tra la," they say, they say
The repeated phrase "Tra la, tra la" may represent a dismissive or carefree attitude amidst the tragedy.
"Let's Go Pompeii."
A call to action, suggesting a willingness to move forward despite the hardships – "Let's Go Pompeii."
I think about Pompeii when I feel an end is near,
The speaker thinks about Pompeii when sensing an impending end or disappearance.
Just before the rain and every time you disappear.
Reference to thinking about Pompeii just before rain or when someone disappears, hinting at a connection between the two.
And I think about a teacup, suspended and half-served.
Contemplation of a teacup, symbolizing fragility and suspended time.
And all the scholars know is that it's perfectly preserved.
Scholars note the perfect preservation of the teacup, emphasizing its lasting state.
That's all they say.
Reiteration that scholars only mention the preservation of the teacup.
This was Pompeii.
The phrase "This was Pompeii" is repeated, reinforcing the significance of the historical event in the speaker's thoughts.
And as for my own kingdom, not a table leg was charred
Personal reflection on the speaker's own "kingdom," indicating a loss due to holding onto it too tightly.
I simple lost my kingdom 'cause I held it much too hard
The loss is not from destruction but from the speaker's attachment and rigidity.
Once I had a sadness, the sadness turned to trust
Transition from sadness to trust in the speaker's personal experience.
The trust turned into ashes and to lawyers and dust
The trust turns into negative consequences symbolized by ashes, lawyers, and dust.
A century, a day
A reference to the passage of time – a century and a day.
This was Pompeii.
Reiteration of the phrase "This was Pompeii," emphasizing the lasting impact of the historical event on the speaker's perspective.
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