VERSE
Ruins
Cat Stevens
It's so quiet in the ruins walking though the old town
Stones crumbling under my feet I see smoke for miles around
Oh it's enough to make you weep, all that remains of the main street
Up in the park on Sunday, dogs chasing and the children played
Old man with his head down, can't see nothing more around...no
But he remembers how it used to be, back in the old days,
So nice to see you coming back in this town again
It's nice to see a friendly face come peeping through having tea
In the afternoon, so nice to see you coming back in this town again...
Ah but it's all changed winter turned on a man
Came down on day when no-one was looking and it
Stole away the land, people running scared, losing hands
Dodging shadows of falling sand, buildings standing like empty shells
And nobody...helping no-one else
Young child with his hands high, ain't able to see no reason why...no
But he remembers how it used to be, back in the old days,
So nice to see you coming back in this town again
It's nice to see a friendly face come peeping through
You'd better know what you're going through now
You came back here to find your home is a black horizon
That you don't recognize, evil destruction has taken everything
You'd better walk on the side while you're still walking
Just keep on walking on down the street keep your distance
From the people you meet. Oh Lord and you'd better watch your eyes
'Cause if smoke gets in them, baby you won't rise again.
Where's it leading to freedom at what cost
People needing more and more and it's all getting lost
I want back, I want back
Back to the time when the earth was green
And there was no high walls and the sea was clean
Don't stop that sun to shine, it's not yours or mine...no.
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About this Song
Ruins by Cat Stevens is a song reflecting on the themes of loss, regret, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world in disarray, filled with remnants of what once was. Stevens uses the metaphor of ruins to symbolize the decayed and broken aspects of life, drawing attention to personal, societal, and environmental degradation. Throughout the song, Stevens' introspective lyrics explore emotional turmoil and a yearning for redemption and renewal. A particularly poignant moment in the song is when Stevens laments the collapse of idealism and innocence, urging listeners to confront the harsh truths of reality and find a way to rebuild from the ruins.
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