Magdalene Lane by Don McLean - Lyrics and Translation

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Magdalene Lane

Don McLean

Magdalene Lane

Song byDon McLean

in AlbumThe Best Of Don McLean

The angels are lost in the city of stars

Wise men are down on their knees

And the Fruitman of Freeway will sell you his cars

When he's sure that you can't find the keys

And the ladies on Magdalene Lane

All worship the sun and the sand

And the migrants who come can't complain

For this is their promised land

MGM studios can't make the nut

They're auctioning Dorothy's shoes

Gable is gone, the good witch is a slut

And I've got the parking-lot blues

The wizard brought benzedrine smiles

And he never let Dorothy doze

Ha- she died as she walked down the aisle

And all that remains is her clothes

Over the rainbow a Kansas tornado

Can twist up a little girl's head

Aunt Em's on relief and the tin man's a thief

And even the wizard can't wake the dead

The prophet has come to the kingdom of lights

But there's no one to listen or learn

And the saviour performs for the prophet's delight

While dissenters are banished or burned

And the heretics beg to be heard

But the saviour's on tour for the week

Salvation is found in his word

If only he'd learn how to speak!

And Lincoln is laughing with Amos and Andy

Concerning the great Civil War

And Paul Revere sleeps with the worst-looking creeps

While revolution's knocking at his door

Magdalene Lane is the red-light domain

Where everyone's soul is for sale

A piece of your heart will do for a start

You can send us the rest in the mail

For we have our own families to feed

And we can't let them starve just for you

But we'd rather not watch while you bleed

So come back in an hour when you're through

It's just another city full of sorrow

Makes no difference why I came

And I only know I'm leaving here tomorrow

And only the motel man knows my name

LanguageEnglish

Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

Magdalene Lane by Don McLean is a reflective and evocative song that delves into themes of disillusionment, societal complexities, and personal introspection. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a street where the characters grapple with their realities and choices. McLean uses Magdalene Lane as a metaphorical setting, exploring the impacts of fame, fortune, and the pursuit of meaning against a backdrop of confusion and loss. Key themes include the quest for truth, the consequences of one's actions, and the inevitable passage of time. The song's poignant moments come through in its contemplative tone and McLean's evocative descriptions of the characters and their struggles.