On Causewayside
Reflections of Urban History: On Causewayside's Soul
Lyrics
Did they build this tenement
Questioning the origin of the tenement, asking if it was constructed using stone from Fife.
With stone from Fife?
Continuation of the inquiry into the construction material, pondering if the building has a connection to Fife.
Does it have a memory
Wondering if the tenement possesses memories or historical imprints from a previous existence.
Of an earlier life?
Questioning whether the building has a recollection of a past life or era.
Before it was transported
Reflecting on the transportation of the building before it was shaped with pride.
To be cut with pride
Referring to the process of cutting the transported stone with pride during construction.
And built up to let look down
Describing the building's elevation, emphasizing its purpose to provide a vantage point overlooking Causewayside.
On Causewayside
Naming the location, Causewayside, where the tenement stands.
At the edge of the pavement
Describing the presence of a girl standing at the pavement's edge.
There stands a girl
Highlighting the location of the girl, at the brink of the pavement.
Of no more than three
Stating the age of the girl, emphasizing her youthfulness in the world.
Years in this world
Emphasizing the girl's limited experience, being only three years old.
Looking up at her mother
Depicting the girl looking up at her mother with sheer delight.
with sheer delight
Describing the girl's expression of joy while looking at her mother.
For a moment
Capturing a fleeting moment of happiness on Causewayside.
On Causewayside
Reiterating the location, Causewayside, where the moment takes place.
The rats in the sewer
Referring to the presence of rats in the sewer, creating a contrast with the uplifting scene described earlier.
And the autumn sky
Observing the stillness of the autumn sky, suggesting a pause or moment of contemplation.
Stand still for a moment
Noting a temporary stillness in both the rats and the sky, possibly emphasizing a brief respite.
And so do I
Expressing a personal pause or reflection parallel to the momentarily still rats and sky.
As we touch the eternal
Conveying a moment of touching or connecting with the eternal, suggesting a profound experience.
Then the cold wind sighed
Describing the cold wind sighing, possibly symbolizing a contrast to the earlier touching of the eternal.
And blowed it away
Describing the wind blowing away the touched eternal, introducing a sense of transience or impermanence.
Down Causewayside
Reiterating the location, Causewayside, where the wind blows away the touched eternal.
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