Lyrics
Long ago I heard a tale I never will forget
Introduction to a memorable tale that left a lasting impression.
The time was in the telling on the bank the scene was set
The narrative unfolds by a riverbank, setting the stage for the story.
The sky was rolling blindly on, the daylight had not gone
Describing the scene with a rolling sky and lingering daylight.
She washed her hair among the stones and saw what was to come
A woman washes her hair among the stones and foresees the future.
All this will pass
A recurring theme: the transient nature of all things.
There will be blood among the corn and heroes in the hills
Foretelling future conflicts and valor in the hills.
But there is more to come my boy before you've had your fill
Hinting at more challenges to come, beyond immediate satisfaction.
Men will come and rape the soil as though it were their own
Men will exploit the land as if it's their possession.
And they will bathe their feet in oil as I have bathed my own
Reference to environmental exploitation, comparing it to personal indulgence.
All this will pass
Reiteration of the transient nature of all things.
All things must come
An assertion that everything has its time.
Just as I tell you here
Reaffirming the reliability of the narrator's foresight.
Stones will stand together as if searching for the stars
Imagery of stones uniting, perhaps representing collective aspirations.
And all come crashing down again before they reach too far
The collapse of ambitions before reaching fruition.
She turned to face the setting sun, I turned to walk away
A moment of turning away, but a call to reconsider and stay.
But then she called my name again and beckoned me to stay
The persistent call to engage with the unfolding events.
All this will pass
Reiteration of the transient nature of all things.
All things must come
Emphasis on the inevitability of all things coming to an end.
Just as I tell you here
Reaffirming the reliability of the narrator's foresight.
She told me of the famous sons who write their names in peace
Introduction of famous sons who meet an untimely end despite their achievements for peace.
Yet be cut down before the time has come for our release
Reiteration of the narrator's reliability in predicting events.
Just as I tell you here
Reaffirming the reliability of the narrator's foresight.
Even now I wait for the coming day
Awaiting a prophesied day in the future.
Even now she waits in the dawn
Another perspective, perhaps the woman waiting for the day to dawn.
For the tales she tells, for the gifts that she will sell
Waiting for the stories, gifts, and visions that will be shared.
For the sight she knows, for a vision that still grows
Anticipation of evolving visions and dreams.
With the dream in her eyes no one's seen
The unseen dream in the woman's eyes.
I listened for so long that day that I can hardly tell
Reflecting on the uncertainty of whether the tale was divine or malevolent.
If what she said was heaven sent or brought to bear in hell
The ambiguity of hope standing alone and facing falsehood.
That men of hope would stand alone and still be cast a lie
Comparing the isolation of hopeful individuals to historical events.
Just as Romans cast them on the day they were to die
Reference to Romans casting lots for individuals to be sacrificed.
All this will pass
Reiteration of the transient nature of all things.
All things must come
Emphasis on the inevitability of all things coming to an end.
Just as I tell you here
Reaffirming the reliability of the narrator's foresight.
Even now I wait for the coming day
Awaiting a prophesied day in the future.
Even now she waits in the dawn
Another perspective, perhaps the woman waiting for the day to dawn.
For the tales she tells, for the gifts that she will sell
Waiting for the stories, gifts, and visions that will be shared.
For the sight she knows, for a vision that still grows
Anticipation of evolving visions and dreams.
With the dream in her eyes no one's seen
The mysterious dream in the woman's eyes that remains unseen by others.
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