White City
White City Echoes: A Melancholic Tale of Urban Transformation
Lyrics
Here a tower shinning bright
Refers to a bright tower that used to stand at this location.
Once stood gleaming in the night
Describes the tower as once gleaming in the night.
Where now there's just the rubble
Points to the current state of the tower being reduced to rubble.
In the hole here the paddies and the frogs
Indicates a hole where people, possibly Irish (paddies), and frogs gathered to bet on dog races.
Came to gamble on the dogs
Highlights the gambling activities involving dogs at this location.
Came to gamble on the dogs not long ago
Suggests that dog gambling took place not too long ago.
Oh the torn up ticket stubs
Mentions torn-up ticket stubs from numerous individuals, possibly disappointed gamblers.
From a hundred thousand mugs
Refers to a large number of people (mugs) with dashed hopes and dreams.
Now washed away with dead dreams in the rain
Describes how these dreams have been washed away in the rain.
And the car-parks going up
Notes the construction of car parks in the area.
And they're pulling down the pubs
Observes the demolition of pubs in the vicinity.
And it's just another bloody rainy day
Expresses a sense of resignation or dissatisfaction with the current state, emphasizing the rainy weather.
Oh sweet city of my dreams
Adds a nostalgic tone, addressing the city as the "sweet city of my dreams."
Of speed and skill and schemes
Describes the city as a place of speed, skill, and schemes.
Like Atlantis you just disappeared from view
Compares the city to Atlantis, suggesting its disappearance.
And the hare upon the wire
Metaphorically speaks of a hare (symbolizing something valuable or free) burned on the city's pyre.
Has been burnt upon your pyre
Continues the metaphor, implying a loss or sacrifice for the city.
Like the black dog that once raced
References a black dog that used to race, drawing parallels to the city's past vitality.
Out from trap two
Specifically mentions the black dog racing from trap two, adding detail to the previous line's metaphor.
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